Job Title:           Family Navigator, CFSD

Department:   Child & Family Services Department

Reports to:       Program Manager

Supervises:      None

FLSA Status:    Non-Exempt  

Pay Grade:       N5

Job Type:         Full-time Regular

AKBCU:            Yes     ICPA: Yes

General Functions:

The Family Navigator will work to reduce unnecessary placement, to locate prospective relatives for children who experience a foster care placement, and to expedite safe placement permanence of Alaska Native and American Indian children and youth. This position coordinates support and resource linkages for parents, children and youth who have been through the OCS Team Decision Making meeting process. The Family Navigator coordinates expedited access to an array of needed supports, particularly recovery services, within CITC’s service areas and within the Alaska Native system of care through direct support of participants and facilitation of multi-disciplinary team meetings to support OCS case plan achievement.  

Duties and Responsibilities, including but not limited to: 

• Assist parents to develop an informal support network of family members and other supportive people to function in various capacities including safety plan participants and licensed or un-licensed placements to manage safety of children.
• Search, notify and support relatives to request placement of children who need foster care by conducting an exhaustive relative search through multiple and available sources that include OCS, intervening Tribe, and Tribe(s) of origin or membership, public information sources and other approved methods of obtaining information. 
• Provide information to relatives to determine interest and availability for placement through formal letter of notice of right to request placement, complete OCS procedures in ORCA for relative requests.
• Complete relative safety home assessments of identified relative’s homes as requested by OCS.
• Identify relatives and provide pertinent information to determine interest and availability for other types of contact or involvement with relative children in state foster care. 
• Coordinate with both internal and external service providers to meaningfully involve relatives of children in foster care.
• Provide support to relatives who request care of children in foster system to access needed resources.
• Coordinate access to services to promote change that supports safety and well-being of children.
• Conduct initial intake, screening and assessment surveys with parents who enroll in reunification support services.
• Collaborate with the RS Peer Support Specialist to conduct outreach and engagement of parents pending enrollment in reunification support. 
• Document activities for purposes of service provision and evaluation activities.
• Maintain operations by following policies and procedures
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks.
• Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
• Maintain client confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential and in compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability) in CITC and state ORCA databases.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Job Specifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of child welfare systems and associated family serving systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to make sound decisions and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to prioritize workload and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to coordinate multiple activities with limited supervision while maintaining attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, management information systems and other survey platforms such as Qualtrics.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, to lead and to work collaboratively within Cook Inlet Tribal Council and with OCS and other community partners.
• Maintain a high degree of sensitivity regarding confidential information.
• General knowledge and understanding of the social, health, educational, training, and cultural needs of the Alaska Native and American Indian community. 

Minimum Core Competencies: CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills 

Qualifications:

•  A bachelor's degree in human services, social work, or related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis. 
• Minimum of two full years of work experience proficiency with knowledge of the OCS system and other services systems accessed by participants.
• Minimum one year of experience working with Alaska Native families, knowledge of their values and belief systems.
• Continued employment status will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of state and federal criminal background checks. 
• Valid Alaska driver’s license and insurable under CITC’s automotive insurance, which requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age and have had a driver’s license for at least three years. 

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time.  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.