GENERAL FUNCTION

The long-term vision of the YMCA Resource Navigator is that “individuals and families in our region would know themselves to be resilient, vital members of a well-connected, supportive community.” The YMCA Resource Navigator works with youth, families with children (ages 0-18), and individuals of all ages to ensure accessibility to the resources they need.  Specific goals for the YMCA Resource Navigator include:

• Serving as a highly collaborative member of the YMCA Resource Navigator Program Team
• Building trusting partnerships with youth, families with children, and individuals of all ages, and to collaboratively advocate for needed resources/services
• Helping to close feedback loops with both agencies and individuals and/or families
• Helping to staff YMCA Resource Navigation Program activities as needed

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Provide safe, accessible resource support for youth/families/individuals to connect with comprehensive, coordinated services that help them strengthen themselves/their families and become more self-sufficient and capable of mutually supporting other youth/families

• Meet with Resource Navigation Program Team to assess current referrals from community partners and individuals (including self-referrals) for youth/families/individuals needing resources
• Through most appropriate means, connect with specific youth/families/individuals to identify areas of priority need (via text, email, phone, etc. to arrange time to meet)
• Build trusting, collaborative partnerships with referred and self-identified youth/families/individuals
• Complete Olympic Connect Care Coordination Partner training. Learn and follow Olympic Connect policies, procedures, and workflows. Utilize Olympic Connect hub technology and provide timely documentation in system
• Do an initial intake with youth/families/individuals and work to identify areas of priority need; recognize and promote each youth’s/family’s/individual’s readiness, willingness, and ability to access support
• Youth/family/individual and Y Resource Navigator commit to specific follow-up activities to seek resources and set date for next meeting; enter this intake and all follow-up information into WELLD/Olympic Connect databases
• Collect and manage data regarding youth/family/individual specific needs and follow up using established workflow; perform follow-up activities and support youth/families/individuals as they take steps across services (e.g., seeking Request for Information [ROI] when necessary, helping to remind families of appointments, etc.)
• Connect/meet back with youth/families/individuals to reassess and make new plans (as necessary)
• Continue to follow up with youth/families/individuals to ensure they have connected with resources
• Follow up with referring and resourcing partners to close feedback loops and offer (whenever appropriate) collaboration insights
• Meet with Resource Navigation Program team throughout all intake and follow-up measures to connect youth/families/individuals with needed resources; evaluate efforts on an ongoing basis with team
• Perform proactive community outreach to promote Resource Navigation services; contribute to and update regional resource directory when appropriate; strategic attendance at community meetings
• Participate in ongoing learning opportunities with Olympic Connect; attend monthly/quarterly meetings
• Work with Vice President of Social Impact to implement and shape the Resource Navigation Program
• Supervise and work directly with youth ages 13-21 in the Teen Resource Center to help support better resource connections for themselves and for their families; arrange and coordinate monthly special programs/events to be held in the Teen Resource Center
• Help to staff Resource Navigation Program Family Nights and other family-services activities (e.g., Meal-distribution program) as needed
• Help to staff Resource Navigation Program direct services (e.g., diaper bank, resource delivery, etc.)
• Other program-related duties as assigned by Vice President of Social Impact and/or CEO
• Based on youth/families/individuals’ needs, continue to research best practices/resources and regularly relay this information to the Resource Navigation Program Team
• Identify and use communication pathways to share community resource information with youth/families/individuals who do not have phone and/or internet

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or any combination of education, experience, and measurable/supervised performance that demonstrates the ability to perform the responsibilities of this position
• 2+ years of experience with family/child-services required
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Professionalism, organization, punctuality, flexibility, reliability, follow-through, and excellent personal/professional boundaries at all times
• Up-to-date knowledge of most effective resources available in area for youth/families in need
• Strong administrative and computer skills, including working with Microsoft Office suite, program and operating software, and internet applications
• Ability to respond to safety, conflict, and emergency situations
• Ability to establish respectful rapport and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people (co-workers and youth/families/individuals served) across the community from different social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds
• High degree of emotional maturity and cultural competency
• Dedication to maintaining high ethical standards including confidentiality
• Pass a comprehensive background screening
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Have current CPR and first-aid certification or be able to obtain within 30 days of hire
• Possess personal transportation/WA drivers license
• Have the ability to work flexible hours as needed