Job Summary: The Community Youth and Family Navigator serves as a trusted resource and advocate for children, youth, young adults, and families participating in the SAMHSA-funded Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI). The Navigator helps families identify strengths, access needed services, overcome barriers, make informed decisions, and successfully navigate behavioral health, education, healthcare, child welfare, juvenile justice, and other community systems. The Navigator serves as a bridge between families and service providers while helping ensure that services are accessible, coordinated, and responsive to individual family needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Family and Youth Engagement

• Conduct outreach and engagement activities to identify and connect with children, youth, young adults, and families in need of services and supports.
• Establish trusting and supportive relationships with families and youth.
• Assist families in identifying strengths, goals, needs, and priorities.
• Promote meaningful youth and family participation in all aspects of care planning and decision-making.
• Provide information regarding available behavioral health, educational, healthcare, and community resources.

 

Systems Navigation and Care Coordination

• Assist families in navigating child-serving systems, including behavioral health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, healthcare, housing, and social services.
• Support referrals and linkages to appropriate services and supports.
• Help families complete applications and enrollment processes for services and benefits.
• Coordinate communication among service providers, families, and community partners.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and care planning processes.
• Monitor service connections and follow up to address barriers to access or engagement.

 

Family Support and Advocacy

• Empower families to advocate effectively for themselves and their children.
• Assist families in understanding their rights, responsibilities, and available resources.
• Provide coaching and support related to educational, behavioral health, and community systems.
• Advocate for family-centered approaches and culturally responsive practices within service systems.
• Encourage family leadership and participation in advisory groups and community activities.

 

Community Outreach and Collaboration

• Develop partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, faith-based organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in community outreach events, resource fairs, and public awareness activities.
• Promote awareness of children’s mental health services and supports throughout the community.
• Assist in identifying service gaps and community needs.

Data Collection and Documentation

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of contacts, service referrals, activities, and outcomes.
• Assist with data collection activities required by the grant.
• Participate in quality improvement and program evaluation efforts.
• Ensure compliance with confidentiality and reporting requirements.

 

Training and Professional Development

• Participate in Systems of Care training, coaching, and technical assistance activities.
• Maintain knowledge of local resources, evidence-informed practices, and community services.
• Support educational workshops and informational sessions for families and youth.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

 

EDUCATION:

• Associate's degree in human services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Public Health, or a related field;
• Equivalent combination of education, experience, and lived experience may be considered.

 

EXPERIENCE/ BASIC KNOWLEDGE

• Minimum of two years of experience working with children, youth, families or community-based programs.
• Experience providing case management, care coordination, family support, outreach, or advocacy services.
• Experience working with diverse populations and underserved communities.

 

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of behavioral health, child-serving systems, and community resources.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to engage and motivate youth and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Lived experience as a parent, caregiver, youth, or family member who has successfully navigated child-serving systems.
• Experience working in behavioral health, school-based services, family support, peer support, or wraparound initiatives.
• Bilingual proficiency in languages commonly spoken within the service area.
• Experience serving culturally diverse, rural, and underserved populations.