Youth Navigator

The Childrens N et work of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

General Purpose of Job

The Youth Navigator promotes timely access to and engagement in behavioral health, medical, and community-based services for children and youth involved in the child welfare system. This position partners closely with Case Management Organizations (CMOs), caregivers, service providers, and multidisciplinary stakeholders to coordinate care and facilitate service referrals.

The Youth Navigator serves as a resource to case management by assisting with navigation of behavioral health providers and community resources, reducing barriers to service engagement, and promoting continuity of care. The position participates in multidisciplinary staffings, including Integrated Family Support Team (IFST) meetings, to support collaborative care planning, service coordination, placement stability, and positive outcomes for children and youth.

Through a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and family-centered approach, the Youth Navigator builds collaborative relationships with behavior-focused foster homes, healthcare providers, community partners, and internal stakeholders to improve communication, strengthen service delivery, and enhance system coordination. The position demonstrates professionalism, initiative, sound judgment, and accountability while fostering teamwork, promoting youth-centered advocacy, and contributing to continuous quality improvement and network development initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Demonstrate professionalism, cultural humility, trauma-informed practices, and a strengths-based approach in all interactions.

- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community agencies, service providers, and advocacy organizations to expand available resources for youth.

- Participate in community outreach events, trainings, and educational opportunities that promote awareness of available youth services and transition resources.

- Meet with Medicaid behavioral health service providers periodically to enhance communication and reduce barriers to services.

- Work with the Case Management Organizations (CMOs) and service providers to remove barriers to services.

- Participate in multidisciplinary staffings, transition planning meetings, and other case-related meetings to advocate for the youth's needs and support continuity of care.

- Provide crisis support and resource navigation as appropriate, escalating concerns to leadership and partnering agencies when immediate intervention is required.

- Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of contacts, activities, referrals, and outcomes in designated data systems in accordance with organizational policies and contractual requirements.

- Attend Integrated Family Support Team (IFST) staffings and other multidisciplinary meetings to assist Case Managers with identifying appropriate providers, coordinating referrals, and navigating behavioral health, medical, and community-based services.

- Contribute to quality improvement efforts by identifying service gaps, recommending process improvements, and supporting departmental initiatives.

- Monitor and support lead agency and Integrated Health Team initiatives, including related activities, priorities, and emerging needs, to promote alignment with departmental and agency goals.

- Assist with identifying appropriate candidates for the Foster Care Center of Excellence program.

- Serve as the primary care coordination contact for children, caregivers, and medical providers, responding to questions and assisting with referrals, resources, and identified needs.

- Participate in regular multidisciplinary meetings with healthcare providers, managed care organizations, and community partners to review cases, coordinate care, and improve service delivery.

- Track referrals, service engagement, and program outcomes, ensuring timely and accurate documentation and reporting.

- Maintain ongoing communication with caregivers, medical providers, and case management to monitor progress, address barriers, and support treatment recommendations.

- Obtain caregiver participation and assist with gathering and sharing available medical records, health history, and other pertinent information to support continuity of care.

- Maintain regular in-office attendance to perform essential job functions, collaborate effectively with team members, participate in meetings, and provide timely support to agency operations and service delivery.

- Monitor email and the Behavioral Health inbox daily; and circulate pertinent information to staff members and partnering agencies.

- Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and agency goals, as needed and appropriate to the position.

Working HOurs

Childrens Network of Hillsboroughs standard business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is an in-office based position with fieldwork requirements, that averages 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary outside of these standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet operational demands. All hours worked will be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and agency policies, including applicable overtime and other compensation requirements.

Travel

Travel within and outside of Hillsborough County is required.

Training

All employees are required to complete fifteen (15) hours of training annually, which may be completed online or in a classroom setting. Employees who hold a credential or license relevant to their position must ensure that all training and continuing education requirements are met to maintain their credential or licensure.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities

Qualifications

Education and Experience

- Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling, human services, psychology, or related field.

- CW Certification or 5 years experience Child Welfare and/or Behavioral Health.

- Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.

- Requires the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others.

- Requires a working knowledge of mental health and childhood trauma.

Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of child welfare and behavioral health systems, including community-based mental health services, Medicaid-funded behavioral health programs, crisis stabilization, inpatient discharge planning, and Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessments (CBHAs). Ability to effectively coordinate services and collaborate with case management organizations, service providers, foster caregivers, and other stakeholders to promote timely access to behavioral health treatment and support child well-being. Skilled in evaluating service recommendations, identifying barriers to care, facilitating multidisciplinary staffings, and monitoring service engagement to support stabilization and permanency outcomes for children in the dependency system. Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to serve as a liaison among diverse stakeholders while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality. Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, maintain accurate documentation, analyze information, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment. Proficient in the use of technology, electronic records systems, and Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to effectively manage communications, organize information, and support agency objectives through collaborative problem-solving and continuous engagement with internal and external partners.

pre-employment requirements

Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.

- Proof of education is required

- Valid drivers license required, with proof of insurance

- Drivers license check is a requirement

- Criminal background screening (fingerprinting) (Local Law Enforcement and FBI/FDLE)

- Drug Screening is a requirement

- Childrens Network participates in E-Verify

Other Requirements

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and apply complex information from behavioral health assessments, medical records, case documentation, policy manuals, and regulatory guidance. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with children, caregivers, case management staff, behavioral health providers, community partners, and other stakeholders. Skilled in preparing clear, concise, and professional correspondence, reports, case summaries, and meeting documentation. Ability to facilitate discussions, present information, and respond to questions with professionalism, tact, and sensitivity while maintaining confidentiality. Ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively communicate across diverse populations with varying backgrounds, experiences, and levels of understanding.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and apply complex information from behavioral health assessments, medical records, case documentation, policy manuals, and regulatory guidance. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with children, caregivers, case management staff, behavioral health providers, community partners, and other stakeholders. Skilled in preparing clear, concise, and professional correspondence, reports, case summaries, and meeting documentation. Ability to facilitate discussions, present information, and respond to questions with professionalism, tact, and sensitivity while maintaining confidentiality. Ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively communicate across diverse populations with varying backgrounds, experiences, and levels of understanding.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect and evaluate information from multiple sources, and apply sound judgment to make timely and effective decisions that support the safety, well-being, and permanency of children in the child welfare system. Skilled in assessing behavioral health recommendations, identifying service gaps and barriers, and developing practical solutions in collaboration with case management, service providers, caregivers, and community partners. Ability to interpret policies, procedures, clinical recommendations, and regulatory requirements and apply them appropriately to complex situations. Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing demands, analyze information objectively, anticipate potential challenges, and take appropriate action while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and a child-centered focus. Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in coordinating services, facilitating collaborative problem-solving, and supporting positive outcomes for children and families.

Physical Demands

The physical demands of this position are generally moderate. The role may require extended periods of sitting, standing, and using a computer. Occasional lifting of office supplies, files, or materials up to 25 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is an in-office-based position focused on administrative work, where the noise level may be moderate. This role may involve occasional travel among agency locations, extended periods of computer work, and frequent interactions across multiple departments. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

ADA: Childrens N et work of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO: Childrens N et work of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, v et eran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

Childrens Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.