Program Navigator Jobs in Philadelphia, PA (NOW HIRING)

SERVICE AREA: Child Development & Family Services

PROGRAM: PHLpreK

ROLE TYPE: Full-Time

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Family Navigator coordinates support, education, and resources for PHLpreK families and Early Learning Providers to connect them with preschool early intervention and behavioral health services. The Family Navigator connects families to needed supports by addressing the known barriers to obtaining services, including monitoring the developmental screening process and supporting childcare center staff in effective family partnership. This position provides direct support to families throughout the intake process and problem-solves barriers to obtaining services. The Family Navigator partners with early intervention staff and behavioral health providers to provide training and educational materials to teachers and families. The Family Navigator supports families and PHLpreK staff in making referrals for additional services where necessary and appropriate. This position reports to the Early Childhood Mental Health and Family Navigator Supervisor.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Map the system infrastructure for Preschool Early Intervention, the children’s behavioral health system, and other supports and services and develop PHLpreK-specific referral processes.
• Develop MOUs with stakeholder organizations to define data sharing, referral, and service coordination agreements.
• Coordinate access for families to community resources through collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Actively seek opportunities and cultivate partnerships to expand the value of program services in alignment with funder priorities and guidance.
• Screen for any needs in health insurance and help families apply for insurance.
• Interview families, either in person or by phone, to assess families’ goals, treatment preferences, and level of interest in initiating the first steps toward services.
• Contact families weekly to monthly by phone, text messaging, or email (depending on family preference) to monitor initiation and completion of referral steps.
• Identify family concerns and/or barriers to referral completion and assist families with problem-solving to identify barriers and solutions to complete EI, behavioral health, and other service referrals.
• Coordinate services for families, even in the event of a family crisis or other family complexities.
• Coordinate family meetings at PHLpreK sites to discuss services and potential benefits for each child and family.
• Track the effectiveness and utility of developmental and behavioral screenings in PHLpreK classrooms and provide feedback to providers.
• Disseminate tools, trainings, and other resources to ensure PHLpreK providers complete developmental screening activities with fidelity and refer children as appropriate to additional services.
• Provide feedback and results of referrals to PHLpreK providers.
• Complete required paperwork and service documentation in case files and PHLpreK database.
• Enter related data and submit reports as requested by MOE, PHLpreK, and DBHIDS leadership.
• Analyze data and reports to identify trends in developmental screenings, referrals, and IEP goals within the PHLpreK system. Make recommendations around efficiencies in the screening, referral, or service coordination processes. Liaise with key stakeholders to refine processes to better serve children and families.
• Use data to make policy recommendations for key stakeholders and funders.
• Participate in state and local meetings regarding issues of early childhood mental health and early intervention.
• Engage in ongoing professional development that supports continuous quality improvement, relevant translation of research to practice, and knowledge of family engagement and support practices.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

SKILLS:

• Substantial knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practice, and working with families, and the early intervention system
• Knowledge of underlying concepts of screening and assessment, evidence-based strategies for social-emotional development, mental health promotion, childcare health promotion, strengths-based practices, community resources, and family systems
• Knowledge of local, state, and national agencies related to early intervention services and family supports
• Demonstrated ability to work in school or classroom settings
• Demonstration of ability to work collaboratively and in the community
• Ability to build trusting, effective working relationships with families and providers
• Demonstrated experience working with culturally diverse populations
• Ability to travel locally, regionally, and statewide as needed
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, competent interpersonal skills, and strong organizational skills

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

The Family Navigator reports to and is supervised by the Early Childhood Mental Health and Family Navigator Supervisor. The position is full-time, 100% FTE.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, or a related field required
• Two years of relevant experience in human services, early childhood, education, government, or a related field required
• Specialized training and experience in early childhood education, early intervention, young child social-emotional development, special education, mental health, and social work
• Engagement with a family member who has experienced I/T or Preschool EI or behavioral health a plus

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• This job includes the normal physical demands associated with office work, including bending, lifting, and carrying.
• Ability to pass a health examination and criminal background check
• Ability to work effectively with minimal daily guidance
• Knowledge of community resources
• Successful experience working in a team setting
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community
• Ability to travel regionally and statewide as needed
• This position includes the need to attend weekend, evening, and early morning meetings to accommodate family schedules and childcare meeting or training schedules.

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.