Family Navigator

We Connect Family Resource HUB

Mission and vision: The mission of TrainingGrounds is toassist families, educators, and communities in strengthening the foundation on which children can succeed. Training Grounds envisions communities where sustainable, effective, child-centered early learning experiences engage parents, families, and educators with young children in ways that lead to healthy social development and educational success from birth to adulthood.

TrainingGrounds:

TrainingGrounds is a 501(c)(3) is New Orleans based non-profit organization established in 2017. Our mission is to assist parents, caregivers and early childhood educators with creating quality rich early childhood learning experiences for children (birth to five). Family Navigator will be someone who is a passionate individual with exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills and is excited about being an integral part of a growing nonprofit and has a strong desire to see the We PLAY Center grow and evolve into a community hub for all things birth to five.

Position Summary:

The We CONNECT Family Resource HUB Family Navigator provides case management services to families to ensure their social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical health needs are met and provides educational and parent support through programmatic offerings (Autism, Nurturing, Parent Learning Opportunities). This position is responsible for building working relationships with parents and caregivers and assisting them with accessing community resources. In addition, this position will work closely with We PLAY Center staff to identify families who can benefit from additional support and services and empower them to become advocates for their children and access community resources.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate Closely with Colleagues and Community Partners: Under the direction of the We CONNECT Center Coordinator work closely with staff and community partners to ensure families are being connected to resources and receiving services and referrals.
• Leadership Actions (can include but are not limited to):
• Attend bi-monthly team meetings and check-ins to discuss programmatic updates, challenges, and opportunities.
• Follow clear referral protocols and procedures for connecting families to resources and services.
• Collect feedback from families and stakeholders to evaluate the impact of referrals on their well-being and satisfaction.
• Use data and feedback to inform decision-making and refine referral processes as needed.
• Cultivate strong relationships with community organizations, agencies, and service providers to expand the network of available resources and support.
• Attend community meetings and events to stay informed about available services and identify potential partnership opportunities.

• Community and Family Navigation: it is the role of every staff member to work with families utilizing a strength based approach. Family navigatorsdevelop a trusted relationship and provide support and resources that the family determines important.. The navigator will provide technical assistance, consultation, training and direct support for families in areas of need.
• Leadership Actions (can include but are not limited to):
• Complete intake interviews with families to determine needs
• Meet with families in-person and via Zoom to eliminate barriers to services
• Assist and support families by connecting them with available resources through the We Connect HUB Network of community partners and engaging in continuous follow up with families and community partners to ensure that service provision has occurred or to identify barriers and gaps to services and address the barriers as is possible
• Conduct programming such as Autism Support, Parent Learning Opportunities and Nurturing program as needed
• Conduct community outreach efforts to recruit families and represent TrainingGrounds at meetings with community partners.
• Facilitate family access to resources (public and private sector) and coach and support families as they make calls to access resources
• Provide families guidance in completing forms and applications, and review documents empower families to articulate their concerns and needs effectively.
• Advocate for families, as needed, to ensure proper services are delivered and the family is treated with respect, to the greatest extent possible
• Maintain the confidentiality of any information received from any person or source about a family, unless authorized in writing by the family or required by law or court order.
• Maintain effective and efficient record keeping procedures including completing required case file documents in Realm and within 48 hours.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with families, and other program staff regularly.
• Participate in Reflective Supervision sessions twice monthly with the Director of Relational Health and Staff Training. Incorporate all prescriptive coaching into everyday practice.
• Attend Bi-weekly staff meeting and professional development training
• Perform other functions as directed by the leadership

• Instill and Maintain a Culture of Inclusivity: Family Navigators will need to positively contribute to a culture of respect and inclusivity by consistently demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence and cultural competency as they engage with various types of stakeholders.
• Leadership Actions (can include but are not limited to):
• Actively participate in opportunities (e.g. staff dialogue, professional development workshops, etc.) to learn inclusive and equitable practices
• Follow and support inclusive and equitable practices and norms
• Maintain positive relationships with community partners and referral agencies Communicate with families with a shared desire to provide the best support and learning environment for them and their children

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s in Social Work (LMSW) with licensure in the State of Louisiana preferred;
• A minimum of three years of post-degree experience in case management or proven experience successfully engaging and accessing community based resources designed for families with children (birth to five), Ability to facilitate psycho-educational groups and provide one-on-one coaching.
• Fundamental knowledge regarding parent-child relationships, attachment theory and child development
• Understanding of substance use and its effects on families.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of various types of families, showing cultural competency and mindfulness of individual, cultural, and ethnic differences
• Must demonstrate initiative and have a high level of passion, energy and enthusiasm
• Good organizational and multitasking skills
• Strong communication, presentation and training skills
• Ability to build relationships with families and staff and create a dynamic environment where play, discovery and learning go hand-in-hand.
• Ability to treat people in a caring and respectful fashion and maintain emotional control in stressful situations
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Must be physically able to use a computer with advanced proficiency with Word, PowerPoint,
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.
• Effective organizational skills including the ability to think clearly and logically; to problem solve effectively; written and oral communication skills; and the ability to function with minimal supervision
• Knowledge of local agencies and other community resources that may serve children (birth to five) and families.

Working Conditions:

• Must be physically able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds, and work indoors or outdoors.
• Must be able to assume postures in low levels to allow physical and visual contact with children, see and hear well enough to keep children safe, and engage in physical activity with children.
• Must be able and willing to sweep, mop and vacuum floors, dust and re-shelve toys, count inventory, enter data, and set-up and breakdown outside play space in conjunction with We PLAY Center staff.

This is a 40 hours per week full time position. Normal business hours are 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday with occasional evenings and weekends. This position requires travel between the two We PLAY Centers located at 2200 Lafitte Avenue and 5641 Read Blvd in New Orleans, Louisiana, with occasional travel within the state and Greater New Orleans area.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Patient demographics:

• Adults
• Children

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• New Orleans, LA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person