Family Support Navigator

Family Futures’ mission is to shape a community in which all children are supported to reach their full potential. Our geographic focus is primarily Kent County with some services extending into other communities. We help children ages 0 through 5 by supporting parents, providing connections to resources and programs, and offering ways tomonitorand enhance early childhood development. We believe in supporting our employees to be successful as well.

Family Futures offers a strength-based, learning-driven, quality improvement-based culture that celebrates equity and diversity and an opportunity to grow while making an impactinyour community.

Family Futures values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

The Family Support Navigator advocates for and with families by welcoming families to our Connections program and providing case management and referral coordination. They will specialize in guiding families to the appropriate community and support resources based on each family’s individual needs. Our Family Support Navigation team guides families forward byidentifyingthe barriers parents face, developing strategies to address any barriers, and recognizing patterns of needs for resources.

Adaptability is important for this position,asis taking initiative with daily tasks. Becauseyou’llbe active in the community, there may be times when the use of a personal vehicle and lifting of boxes (roughly 25lbs.) may be required, as well as attendance of community events and meetings outside of regular work hours. In addition, Family Futures requires all staff tocomply witha COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Lastly,use of personal cellphoneand access to Internet service may be a requirement of this position.

• Complete intakeand set up individual Thrive by Five service planswith newly enrolled families
• Provide case management to families
• Refer families to community resources and programs
• Communicate with families via phone, text, and email
• Research programs and services that meet the needs of families serviced
• Advocate for families byparticipatingin work groups and community meetings
• Document all case-related information

The candidate must have abachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Social Work, Psychology or a related field with a minimum 2 years working with familiesor some combination of formal and informal education and experience sufficient todemonstrateproficiency. The ideal candidate will also have familiarity with resources for familieslocatedin West Michigan and/or lived experience navigating early childhood services and resources.

• Fluency in English
• Organized and detail oriented
• Must be able to manage multiple projects at one time
• Written and verbal communications skills
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adaptable and a self-starter
• Culturally competent and knowledgeable when working with diverse populations
• Flexible schedule to meet the needs of families
• Comfortable working in fast paced environments
• Ability to learn early childhood landscape and terminology

• Data entry and/or database usage
• Fluency in Spanish
• Community resource knowledge
• Experience working in one of the following zip codes: 49507 - 49506–49503

The job description is intended to provide the employee with a general, broad understanding ofthe job’s responsibilities, and not necessarily to specify all activities and responsibilities.