Prevention Navigator

Job Title: Prevention Navigator

Department: Program

Pay: 45k/year (non-negotiable)

Reports To: Community Engagement Program Manager

Classification: Exempt

PURPOSE OF ROLE: The Prevention Navigator will work to develop trusted relationships with multiple service providers to be able to provide support and resources that the family needs to build or sustain the relationship with the young person. The Prevention Navigator will provide technical assistance, consultation, or referrals for families in areas of need. The Prevention Navigator will work in collaboration to build a family driven plan that focuses on solutions that prevents the young person from becoming further enmeshed in the child welfare system and ultimately from entering homelessness. The Prevention Navigator will assist in supporting the family by helping to navigate the multitude of systems and providing referrals to the most appropriate service for the family which enhance child welfare prevention efforts.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide community system resource navigation to youth and families who have been reported to the child welfare system. Assist families in connecting to comprehensive, holistic services allowing families to achieve long term stability and success.
• Understand community resources available to families to mitigate or prevent the occurrence of child welfare engagement. Develop strong working relationships, through active outreach, with a wide range of service providers and related stakeholders.
• Recognize and promote a family’s readiness, willingness, and ability to participate in accessing services.
• Actively participate in community resource planning and related work to establish better relationships with service delivery systems.
• Facilitate focus groups that include community partners and stakeholders, as well as youth ambassadors.
• Collaborate with other stakeholders to help identify barriers for families in receiving or accessing support.
• Work collaboratively with the Prevention Case Manager to determine direct cash transfer eligibility, case planning, and aftercare interventions.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the Covenant House Mission, philosophy, history and tradition(s) and the underlying values upon which the Agency is founded, and can communicate this to the staff, youth and the community we serve.
• Maintain records of assistance being provided to families, with details of systems in HMIS and ETO per the Data Integrity Plan.
• Maintain a high level of ethical standards.
• Actively participate in all staff meetings and trainings.
• Demonstrate an enthusiastic commitment to the job and the Agency.
• Provide supervision within the Agency’s structure and guidelines.
• Seek out new information and training in the field.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, Social Work, Psychology or a related field is preferred.
• 1- 3 years of related work experience required.
• Experience working with at-risk, youth experiencing homelessness, youth serving systems, or social service organizations preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Adherence to confidentiality and compliance with professional ethics.
• Commitment to social, racial, and gender justice issues.
• Demonstrated familiarity with homeless systems and resources for housing, education, and employment and methods of access is preferred
• Experience with computer systems required, including web-based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Access.
• Experience working with diverse groups of people (e.g., race, ethnicity, age, class, gender, sexual orientation, and abilities).

Competencies:

• Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are guided by general instructions and practices requiring some interpretation. May make recommendations for solving problems of moderate complexity and importance.
• Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are highly varied, complex, and often non-recurring, requiring staff input, innovative, creative, and Lean diagnostic techniques to resolve issues.
• Independence of Action: Ability to follow precedents and procedures. May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines. Seeks assistance when confronted with difficult and/or unpredictable situations. Work progress is monitored by supervisor/manager.
• Written Communications: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English with internal and external customers.
• Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively with medical center staff, patients, families, and external customers.
• Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate a full working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures, and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in small teams to improve the operations of the immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members.
• Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff, and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem-solving. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Age-based Competencies: Employees in this job must be competent to provide patient care to the following age groups: Young adult: 16-30 years, Middle Age: 30 - 60 years, Elderly: 60 .
• Physical Nature of the Job: Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Some elements of the job are sedentary, but the employee will be required to stand for periods of time or move throughout the hospital campus.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES: Not applicable.

SKILLS:

• Strong professional boundaries, communication & interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Flexible, amiable, & willing to work as a team player
• Excellent organizational skills
• Must have strong knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to work a flexible schedule as needed (non-traditional hours)
• Ability to work standing, walking, and/or sitting a minimum of 8-10 hours per day
• Ability to drive agency or personal vehicles to transport items and/or persons
• Valid Georgia Driver’s License with acceptable driving record
• Ability to travel as needed for training or to fulfill job requirements

I understand that the statements included in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position, and that they are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Further, this job description does not state or imply that this is a contract between the individual in this position and Covenant House.

Covenant House is an Equal Opportunity Employer