Navigator

Company Description

• Families First is a Georgia non-profit family service agency. We assist over 37,000 children, women and families each year, and we have been serving metro Atlanta for 130 years. Our mission is to ensure the success of children in jeopardy by empowering families.

Everything our agency does is about strengthening families-all kinds of families with all kinds of needs. We foster strong communities by delivering empowering and sustainable solutions to children and families-solutions that improve child well-being and family self-sufficiency. Families First accomplishes this by focusing on three impact areas:

• Child & Youth Permanency - to ensure long-term stability and support, we provide adoption, foster care and residential group homes for children whose lives have been disrupted.
• Family Sustainability & Empowerment - we work collaboratively with other organizations to provide self-sufficiency through housing and supportive services for chronically homeless families.Healthy
• Families & Relationships - we offer training and affordable counseling solutions to equip parents and families with critical skills to build healthy and strong relationships.

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Families First Navigator is responsible for helping families/individual clients with accessing social services and other essential resources that are available within Families First as well as within the community. The Navigator administers applicable assessments and/or incorporates assessment data in order to identify and link clients to benefits and services that clients might qualify for but have difficulty accessing. An important part of the Navigator work is to help each client build resiliency. The Navigator utilizes the outcomes of an evidenced based Resiliency Assessment to develop an individualized Family Care Plan. Understanding and knowing where to help the client obtain needed services such as housing, healthcare, education, counseling, coaching and basic needs, is an essential part of the position. A Navigator recognizes that responding to complex applications and timelines to apply and obtain these resources can be confusing and overwhelming for many clients. A Navigator is there for clients to provide information and support in order to improve access to programs and services. A Navigator serves as a one-stop information and referral resource to the many programs available in our community. From the point of intake, throughout program enrollment and post-discharge, the Navigator is there for the client to ensure the client continues to thrive after program completion. Due to COVID-19 and CDC recommendations, Navigators are required to wear face mask coverings and practice social distancing with families and community partners.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide needed information and resources to clients via phone, text, chat, email and/or face to face conversations utilizing face mask coverings and social distancing practices.
• Collect client information and demographics as defined by the program/agency standards to accurately assess eligibility of resources.
• Resolve escalated client concerns and crises on an as need basis and identify possible solutions to client's complex case scenarios.
• Engage with agency community partners to support the needs of clients and community members practicing face mask coverings and social distancing rules.
• Provide accurate information, assessments, referrals (internal and community based) as well as advocacy to all clients.
• Attend applicable appointments with client to help with the client with understanding services as well as model how to access services practicing face mask coverings and social distancing rules.
• Provide exceptional customer service to clients and identify and recommend improvements for quicker and more efficient customer service delivery.
• Follow up with select clients on a (minimum) weekly basis to capture outcomes and alternative options.
• Collaborate with Counselors to assist clients with developing a Family Care Plan that includes measurable goals and objectives.
• Submit timely client documentation including managing an Electronic Case Record utilizing a Families First platform.
• Provide and document follow up support to discharged clients for up to 18 months.
• Assist the Program Manager with program reports.
• Obtain Key Performance Indicators including utilization targets.
• Participate as an active member of the Community Advisory Board.
• Conduct program presentations and assist with outreach and recruitment.
• Complete at least 24 hours of annual in-person and/or virtual trainings applicable to the Navigator position.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requires Knowledge and Ability to:

• Attend all professional development trainings as required by the agency or Healthy Starts Department.
• Participate as a positive, productive team member within the Navigator Program Team.
• Work effectively with diverse populations.
• Organize and work independently.
• Work flexible hours.
• Travel between work sites.
• Operate agency vehicle and transport Families First clients when necessary.
• Effectively communicate and partner with children, families, community agents, residents, co-workers and other entities as appropriate.
• Complete Motivational Interviewing training and other required training essential to work performance.
• Possess the flexibility to adapt to various working styles.
• Work as a self-starter, creative problem solver and solution focused approach.
• Work in a fast-paced environment.
• Accept program performance feedback and constructive criticism.

Other Duties:

• Home visitation, as deemed appropriate.
• Attend community meetings.
• Assist with outreach through community events, and other venues that help build awareness of program.
• Report and manage a database

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, education or related field preferred with (2) years of family work experience or bachelor's degree with (3) years of family work experience.
• Experience working with complex families and individuals in need of services.
• Experience working with diverse families that may have multiple stressors and low resiliency scores.
• Ability to develop trusting relationships.
• Ability to work flexible schedule which could include evenings and at least one weekend a month.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries when providing supportive services.
• Ability to recruit, and present the programs to applicable families, community organizations, fairs, etc.
• Ability to approach families from a strength based and family-centered perspective.
• Excellent listening, case management, crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong computer skills and proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

Additional Information

EEO Statement:

It is the policy of Families First not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or because he or she is a protected veteran. It is also the policy of Families First to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment, all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment..

Families First is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to Affirmative Action and Workforce Diversity.

Families First participates in E-Verify.

Interested candidates can apply at www.familiesfirst.org

Where permitted by applicable law, successful applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or willing to receive full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine, prior to date of hire. COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment, subject to an approved accommodation, and proof of vaccination will be required on or prior to start date.