Family Navigator

This position is located in Sioux City, IA. The Family Navigator is a professional staff member who is also the parent or primary care giver for a child or youth with special health care needs. The Family Navigator partners with families to identify and prioritize family needs; identifies and facilitates access to community services, including overcoming barriers to accessing services; models and coaches healthy coping strategies; promotes family strengths, advocacy skills and right to self-determination; and provides emotional supports by listening to concerns and sharing experiences.

* Partner with families and Early ACCESS providers to develop, review and update the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

* Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with families by maintaining monthly contact with families and ensuring that families are knowledgeable about service options as their child grows and changes.

* Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with community agencies and service providers, parent to parent networks, support groups and CHSC staff members.

* Collaborate with all providers and community partners to meet the needs of the families.

* Coordinate services across agencies, and advance services.

* Maintain and expand knowledge base about community, state and national resources and services.

* Coach families on how to partner with service providers and make decisions about their child's care.

* Assist families to identify and prioritize goals along with supporting the family in implementing their goals.

* Coach families on developing advocacy skills, empowerment strategies, and preparing for meetings. This assistance could occasionally include meeting with families at an offsite location.

* Assist families as needed in applying for specific programs including assisting families in completing applications for services and obtaining assistance from agencies and programs selected by families.

* Serve as liaison between families and service providers and participate in Early ACCESS home visits.

* Practice trauma-informed care in serving families.

* Achieve and/or maintain certification relevant to Early ACCESS service coordination in addition to completing Early ACCESS service coordination verification requirements.

* Provide timely, accurate documentation of service/care coordination activities.

* Maintain a designated work schedule.

* Perform all other duties as assigned.

* A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

* Experience as a parent or primary care giver managing the care of a child with a special health care need.

* Experience working with community partners and resources for children with special health care needs.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills and work as a cooperative team member.

* Proficiency in computer software applications, including demonstrated experience in using email and using the internet for locating resources.

* Ability to travel in surrounding geographic area; and hold a valid driver's license, plus the ability to meet the University of Iowa Fleet Safety Program driving standards (University of Iowa Operations Manual Part V, Chapter 19.

* Experience serving in an advocacy role for families with a child with a special health care need.

* Previous experience that demonstrates leadership skills.

* Experience working or collaborating with Child Health Specialty Clinics programs and/or Early ACCESS.

* Experience as a caregiver of a child with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or an IFSP.