Community Youth & Family Navigator

The Community Youth and Family Navigator serves as a trusted resource and advocate for children, youth, young adults, and families participating in the SAMHSA-funded Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI). The Navigator helps families identify strengths, access needed services, overcome barriers, make informed decisions, and successfully navigate behavioral health, education, healthcare, child welfare, juvenile justice, and other community systems. The Navigator serves as a bridge between families and service providers while helping ensure that services are accessible, coordinated, and responsive to individual family needs.

• Conduct outreach and engagement activities to identify and connect with children, youth, young adults, and families in need of services and supports.
• Establish trusting and supportive relationships with families and youth.
• Assist families in identifying strengths, goals, needs, and priorities.
• Promote meaningful youth and family participation in all aspects of care planning and decision-making.
• Provide information regarding available behavioral health, educational, healthcare, and community resources.

• Assist families in navigating child-serving systems, including behavioral health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, healthcare, housing, and social services.
• Support referrals and linkages to appropriate services and supports.
• Help families complete applications and enrollment processes for services and benefits.
• Coordinate communication among service providers, families, and community partners.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and care planning processes.
• Monitor service connections and follow up to address barriers to access or engagement.

• Empower families to advocate effectively for themselves and their children.
• Assist families in understanding their rights, responsibilities, and available resources.
• Provide coaching and support related to educational, behavioral health, and community systems.
• Advocate for family-centered approaches and culturally responsive practices within service systems.
• Encourage family leadership and participation in advisory groups and community activities.

• Develop partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, faith-based organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in community outreach events, resource fairs, and public awareness activities.
• Promote awareness of children’s mental health services and supports throughout the community.
• Assist in identifying service gaps and community needs.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of contacts, service referrals, activities, and outcomes.
• Assist with data collection activities required by the grant.
• Participate in quality improvement and program evaluation efforts.
• Ensure compliance with confidentiality and reporting requirements.

• Participate in Systems of Care training, coaching, and technical assistance activities.
• Maintain knowledge of local resources, evidence-informed practices, and community services.
• Support educational workshops and informational sessions for families and youth.

• Associate's degree in human services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Public Health, or a related field;
• Equivalent combination of education, experience, and lived experience may be considered.

• Minimum of two years of experience working with children, youth, families or community-based programs.
• Experience providing case management,…