Old Youth Readiness Navigator

Summary of Position

The purpose of the Older Youth Readiness Program is to: 1. help youth in foster care establish safe and meaningful connections to relationships lost while in foster care; 2. link youth with meaningful resources; and 3. establish new opportunities to help youth transition out of foster care and into successful and healthy adults. The focus for youth ages 16 – 24 is to assist with navigating and obtaining access to the relevant services necessary to achieve well-being. Youth 13-15 may receive support through the program to build support earlier to improve their opportunities for success in adulthood. Youth guide the service plan process which directs the pathway to develop strong relationships with the goal of achieving interdependence.

The Navigator acts as care coordination consultant, collaborating with and organizing multiple systems tailored to the youth’s specific plan. In addition to the child welfare system, the navigator may assist with the following additional systems:

• family and community
• mental health services
• life skills systems
• disability services
• affordable housing
• employment and workforce development
• placement stability
• transition services

Given the nature of the program, up to 40% of the Older Youth Readiness Navigator work hours can be expected to occur in the late afternoon, early evening, and occasional weekends. Services are designed to be culturally sensitive, trauma informed and use promising practices to ensure youth will have improved outcomes that result in placement stability.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Navigates the above systems
• Facilitates decision-making and communications within and between systems
• Initiates difficult discussions
• Provides wraparound services by cultivating and networking with resource and referral services and supports within the community.
• Understands relevant policy and has a high comfort level researching gaps in knowledge.
• Directs families and professionals through case-based advocacy situations.
• Respects and demonstrates understanding for differences including the ability to interact effectively with individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability and socioeconomic status.
• Receives and responds to training, coaching, supervision, and feedback; works well in team setting.
• Responds to communication from families and professionals in a timely manner.
• Visits with the child and family in-home or in the community to address concerns that relate to placement stability.
• Participates in team and agency meetings and/or individual professional consultations; Majority of these meetings should be attended in person.
• Completes thorough, professional, and timely documentation (i.e. intake forms, assessment, progress and activity notes, progress maintenance plans and closing summaries).
• Follows procedures for meeting with, calling, and consulting supervisor.
• Navigates and uses various software packages to obtain, collect, and track program data in a timely manner as required by the funder and/or the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition; This includes but is not limited to Salesforce.

Agency Accountability

• Complete daily activity log.
• Maintain an up-to-date Outlook calendar.
• Adhere to the Coalition’s Shared Values, Employee Code of Conduct, and Employee Code of Ethics.
• Department Specific / Non-Essential Functions
• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.
• Supports the Coalition’s mission – attend special events, training events, and other “all hands on deck” activities.

Qualifications & Requirements Education

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Experience

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams utilizing innovative strategies to overcome obstacles. Experience navigating the child welfare, mental health, physical health, housing, and workforce development systems are preferred.

Preferred Skills / Qualifications

• Good written and verbal communication
• Strong organization
• Superior time management
• Team facilitation
• Conflict resolution and negotiation
• Adaptation and flexibility
• Ability and comfort working with diverse populations in various environments
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
• Vehicle, automobile insurance, and valid driver’s license required.

Additional Skills/Competencies necessary to carry out services to the service population’s culture and socio-economic characteristics.

• This position requires an understanding of diversity (ethnic, religious, socio-economic, etc.) as well as sensitivity to the situations of the children and families the organization serves.
• This position requires a respect for the confidentiality of the children and families the organization serves.
• This position requires passing background checks (references, Family Care Safety Registry, Form 1-9, etc.).
• This position requires a clean criminal history.
• Must fulfill the responsibility as a mandated report in the State of Missouri.
• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.

Organizational Relationships/Scope

• This position reports to the Director of Older Youth Readiness. Collaborative consultation will be sought from all program teams.

Working Conditions

• This position entails work in the community and office.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to communicate effectively.
• The physical requirement of this job includes sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs; lifting up to 25 lbs., pulling and/or pushing on occasion.
• Use of automobile for local travel to multiple sites may be required.
• The Coalition office is considered home-base with primary office hours Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
• This position requires flexibility. Evening and weekend hours may be required to meet the expectations of this position.

Agency Shared Values

Employees of the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition agree to hold themselves and colleagues to the following values:

• Equity: We insist on fairness and respect. We are deliberate in ensuring everyone has safety, opportunity, access, and support to be heard.
• Family: We are family. We are connected and support one another in meeting the needs of our own families and the families we serve. We assume the best and are committed to each other.
• Diversity: We celebrate differences and harness the power that diversity brings. Every viewpoint is heard and honored. We are stronger because of our differences.
• Innovation & Excellence: We are intentional about knowing better and doing better, using innovation and solution-focus approaches with courageous passion and excellence.
• Inclusion: We respect, leverage, and engage everyone’s unique strengths and talents so each individual can contribute to their full potential.
• Integrity: We are an agency built on integrity, maintaining a culture of trust, respect, transparency, and honesty. We walk in our truth and uphold ethical standards.
• Courage: We stand up for each other and what is right for our clients and stakeholders with truth, vulnerability, and accountability.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: We develop and maintain authentic relationships by being flexible and open-minded and maximizing the strengths of each individual in the team to accomplish the best outcome for our children and families. Everyone contributes to leadership.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• St. Louis, MO 63144: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person