Family Peer Navigator - Crisis Center

GREATER PHILADELPHIA URBAN AFFAIRS•Philadelphia, PA

4d•$0 - $24

About The Position

The Family Peer Navigator works with families seeking assistance at Philadelphia’s Children’s Crisis Centers or the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center. The role guides families through service systems by providing information, resources, referrals, and family peer support, including coordinating connections to programs and services after a child’s crisis or urgent-care discharge. Services may be provided in homes, schools, medical offices, crisis centers, and other community settings. The Navigator uses lived experience and knowledge of child-serving systems to support families and youth, identify needs, assist with discharge plans, and help connect families with appropriate services. The role collaborates with program partners and community stakeholders, provides emotional support to parents and caregivers, and participates in support groups, trainings, presentations, and community events. The position also requires accurate participant and service documentation in electronic health records and program databases. This is a non-exempt position with a 35-hour workweek that may include evenings and weekends. The position reports to the Field Supervisor and has no direct reports.

Requirements

Self-identify as a parent or primary caregiver of an individual with behavioral and/or mental health challenges and/or autism spectrum disorder.
Ability to use lived experience to support other families.
At least one year of experience working in human services with children, youth, young adults, or family programs affected by autism or behavioral and/or mental health challenges, or other significant experience working with the disability community.
Demonstrated knowledge of service systems for children or adults with behavioral or mental health challenges and/or autism.
Complete Family Peer Support training within 60 days of hire.
Obtain PATCH, Child Abuse, and FBI fingerprint clearances.
Reliable mode of transportation.
High school diploma or GED.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to interact professionally and effectively with families, external parties, and multidisciplinary teams.
Computer skills sufficient to perform job duties, including desktop computing, email, timesheet management, electronic health records, Microsoft Office applications, ADP, and other relevant software.
Flexibility, collaboration, and creativity.
Dependability, strong time-management and organizational skills.
Excellent communication, listening, interpersonal, and public-presentation skills.
Negotiation and conflict-resolution abilities.
Ability to use a strengths-based perspective.
Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance and work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to sit and work at a computer and perform general office functions.
Ability to travel within the community, including locations that may not be wheelchair accessible and may involve stairs.
Ability to use public transportation and/or drive around the city, including in inclement weather.
Ability to carry computer equipment to external sites as needed.
Ability to communicate clearly; the role may involve exposure to vulgar or inappropriate language or gestures.
Qualified to secure necessary clearance for employment within hospital or medical office environments.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of or training in Systems of Care and trauma-informed care.
Experience in child and/or family advocacy.
Experience working directly with families and communities on behalf of children with mental health issues.
Experience working with and understanding billable services within the Medicaid system.
Philadelphia County residency.
Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

Meet with families and youth at crisis or urgent-care centers, identify needs, and provide support, resources, and referrals verbally and in writing.
Answer families’ questions about services and serve as a contact person for families or caregivers as needed.
Collaborate with program partner staff and administration, maintaining compassionate and professional interactions.
Provide emotional support and serve as a positive role model to parents and caregivers.
Inform families about Philadelphia Family Voices and connect interested families with its family peer support services.
Collect data and use tracking systems and electronic health records for reporting.
Provide discharge resources and follow up by phone to confirm service linkages or offer additional assistance and resources.
Provide strengths-based, peer-to-peer support consistent with Philadelphia Family Voices’ family-support, empowerment, and family-driven philosophy.
Use knowledge of service systems and available resources to inform families and other professionals.
Identify family needs during crises and work with program partner staff to provide support and de-escalate potentially volatile situations.
Support families in a range of day-to-day settings and activities, including waiting or triage areas, discharge meetings, and by providing resources to crisis-center social workers.
Interact with youth in non-clinical activities and provide information and resources within the direct line of sight of clinical staff.
Co-facilitate support groups, workgroups, trainings, and presentations; represent Philadelphia Family Voices at resource fairs and community events.
Help families follow through with discharge plans.
Enter participant data upon intake and document participant contacts, forms, services, and activities in the electronic health record or database according to agency policies.
Participate in individual supervision, team and agency meetings, required trainings, and community meetings or conference calls.
Gather and provide data as assigned and perform other duties as assigned.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with Philadelphia Family Voices staff, supervisors, managers, stakeholders, families, youth, crisis-center staff, community agencies, child-serving systems, schools, and relevant city departments.
Promote a positive public image of Philadelphia Family Voices and model ethical, professional, and respectful behavior.