Transition Navigator

The New Foster Care (TNFC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based out of Oakland County. Founded in 2016, TNFC is a faith-based organization committed to making transformative changes within the Michigan foster care system and creating measurable, meaningful impact in the lives of youth and emerging adults with lived experience in foster care.

TNFC serves people ages 14–29 through its Bridge Program, a comprehensive transitional support model that centers the young person as the driver of their own life plan. Participants work with a Transition Navigator, Peer Support Specialist, Personal Wellness Coach, and Attorney to address any issues hindering their progress and develop a strategy for success across six life domains:
Education, Employment, Housing, Transportation, Mental & Physical Health, and Community Connection.

Our work is grounded in relationship-based, trauma-informed, and strengths-focused practice, delivered through an integrated multidisciplinary team.

The Transition Navigator (TN) partners with youth and emerging adults, along with their families and support systems, to build on strengths, foster resilience, and promote successful transitions into adulthood. Using a person-centered and trauma-informed approach, the TN – functioning as the primary case manager - provides individualized guidance and in-vivo coaching across the five transition domains to support participants in achieving their personal, educational, and career goals.

The TN delivers a range of case management services, including prevention planning, skill development, vocational and educational support, employment readiness, and connection to community resources. This role focuses on empowering participants to develop independence, enhance life skills, and overcome barriers related to life transitions. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the TN is accountable for the participant’s overall progress and for coordinating the team’s expertise on the participant’s behalf.

The TN works under the guidance and supervision of the Program Director and/or Transition Services Supervisors.

• Maintain a minimum caseload of 20 active participants.
• In fidelity to the Transition to Independence (TIP) model, develop and maintain each participant’s individualized plan of service, ensuring alignment with the participant’s transition and independence goals.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of each participant’s current situation, goals, barriers, and progress across all five transition domains.
• Conduct consistent in-person weekly engagements with participants in the community, in their homes, or in the office setting to provide hands-on, individualized support.
• Provide in-vivo coaching and model real-world skill building during community-based interactions to strengthen daily living, social, emotional, and problem-solving skills.
• Transport participants to appointments as needed and actively support engagement during medical, mental health, court, housing, employment, and educational appointments to ensure understanding, advocacy, and follow-through.
• Assist participants in identifying, accessing, and navigating community resources, including benefits, educational supports, workforce programs, and foster care specific resources. Monitor all internal and community referral sources through to completion.
• Coordinate care and advocate across community stakeholders (mental health, education, vocational, housing, medical, legal, and community service systems) to ensure integrated support.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation, service records, and outcome data within electronic systems.
• Al…