Transition Navigator

Job Description

Job Title: Transition Navigator

Employment Type: Full Time

If you have a powerful desire to help others and positively impact the lives of youth, emerging adults, and families who have experience with the Michigan foster care system, you should join The New Foster Care’s (TNFC) team. Our mission is to make a transformative change in the Michigan Foster Care system and a measurable and meaningful impact in the lives of youth who have experienced foster care. TNFC’s mission is accomplished through partnering with the State and local agencies to develop, fund, and implement innovative pilot programs; researching and advancing policy and legislative action in the best interests of Michigan’s children; and providing direct service programs that change the trajectory of youth with experience in foster care.

TNFC’s main transition service program, The Bridge, serves youth and emerging adults (ages 14to 29), assisting them to achieve greater self-sufficiency and attain their goals along five life transition domains (Employment & Career, Living Situation, Educational Opportunity, Community Life Functioning, Personal Effectiveness & Wellbeing). The program model utilizes a treatment team approach, with a Transition Navigator, Personal Wellness Coach, and Peer Support Specialist, all assigned to assist the client on their journey.

Job Summary: The Transition Navigator (TN) works with youth and/or emerging adults and their families to enhance functional behaviors and assist them to overcome mental health barriers. The TN offers support and in-vivo coaching in the five transition domains. The TN provides a variety of rehabilitative and case management services ranging from prevention planning; vocational training, skill building, linkage to community, educational and employment resources and other life skills services as needed. The TN works under the guidance and supervision of the Director of

Transition Services and/or the Transition Services Supervisors.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Master's degree in social work child counseling, development or psychology, social services or vocational counseling or related social science field, OR bachelor's degree in child counseling, development or psychology, social services or vocational counseling or related social science field.

Experience working with youth and emerging adults with experience in foster care preferred.

Qualifications and Skills:

Ability to relate to youth and emerging adults who have experience in foster care and their families.

Ability to provide culturally competent services that show sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Ability to interact and communicate both verbally and in writing with youth and emerging adults with serious emotional disturbances, parents, foster parents, caregivers, schools, other staff, physicians, county agencies, other health care and social services providers and the public.

Ability to drive to and from client homes in the Metro Detroit area in a personal vehicle.

Ability to perform clear and concise documentation.

Ability to make appropriate linkages to community resources, especially related to the mental health, education, medical and social services fields.

Ability to work well in fast-paced and stressful situations.

Ability to work a flexible schedule that allows for support to clients during non- typical business hours, if needed.

Ability to understand and identify barriers impacting participant functioning and indicated rehabilitation interventions.

Ability to demonstrate case management and organization skills.

Ability to screen for risk behaviors and needs of clients through observation and formal methods.

Ability to acquire and maintain working knowledge of community resources and partnerships in geographic region(s) served.

Ability to work with technology, including adaptation between and across systems of documentation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Work to build rapport and relationships that foster hope and empowerment. Assess youth for strengths and needs and partner with them to develop Future Plans.

Provide in-vivo coaching (skill teaching in real world environments) and recognize and create the opportunities to do so.

Work with youth to help them reduce and manage high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, self-harm, and unlawful behaviors.

Assist youth in developing decision making skills and enhance executive functioning.

Recognize the impact of trauma and be able to provide trauma informed care.

Identify accessible community-based resources for TNFC clients and make appropriate referrals and linkages.

Gather and maintain current information on eligibility criteria, enrollment/registration procedures and instruct TNFC clients on how to complete applications.

Become proficient in delivering appropriate interventions (core competencies) such as Futures Planning, Strength Discovery, Social Problem Solving (SODAS) and In- vivo coaching.

Provide individual and group in-vivo coaching to TNFC clients and identify key players on appropriate behaviors while in natural environments and strategies for effectively coping with impairments and/or deficits.

Coordinate “flex funds” related to transition domain activities.

Compile and maintain records and outcome measurements related to transition domains.

Understands and participates in treatment team planning process.

Participate in staff training and professional development as identified and/or approved.

Serve on designated internal/external committees as identified and/or approved.

Additional Work Requirements:

Valid unrestricted driver's license, with proof of current registration and automobile insurance; reliable personal transportation suitable for safely transporting program participants required.

Consistently maintain professional standards and observe the guidelines established within the NASW Social Work Ethics and/or TNFC’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Other duties as assigned.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.63 - $26.44 per hour

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Health insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Referral program

Vision insurance

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

foster care: 2 years (Required)

Child welfare: 1 year (Required)

Company Description

The New Foster Care non-profit organization based out of Oakland County, launched in 2016. Our focus is to 1) assist young people with experience in foster care to positively change the trajectory of their lives; and 2) positively impact the foster care system that serves them by advocating for innovative programming and policy and legislative reform.

Youth with experience in foster care often face a challenging path to success as they transition to adulthood. We provide direct services to such youth through our 'Bridge Program', a comprehensive transitional support model serving young people ages 14 to 29. Youth enrolled in our program are assigned a Multisystemic Navigator who assists them to develop and implement a sustainable plan for their future success along five transition domains: employment and career, educational opportunity, living situation, community life functioning, and personal effectiveness and wellbeing.

Full-time