Kinship Navigator, Seattle (Joan B. Poliak Field Office)

Casey Family Programs • Seattle, WA

2d • $59,500 - $80,500

About The Position

The Kinship Navigator provides direct services to birth parents and kinship caregivers who are involved in, have been involved with, or are at risk of entering the child welfare system. Using collaborative, innovative, evidence-informed, trauma- and healing-informed practice, the role supports families with system navigation, community resources, and advocacy to promote safety, permanency, and well-being. Services are primarily delivered in homes and community settings, with virtual options as needed.

The Kinship Navigator works in partnership with social workers, multidisciplinary teams, field office colleagues, families, and community partners. The position helps strengthen natural supports and community connections, supports continuous learning and improvement, and contributes to high-quality direct service programs for youth and families.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Personal experience navigating the child welfare system and/or experience or training in coaching, serving, or mentoring other families.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system and community resources for caregivers.
• Basic technology skills and demonstrated respect for multicultural approaches.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and provide consultation and advocacy for youth and families with schools, government, and/or community agencies.
• Skills in system navigation and self-advocacy.
• Experience working with and supporting the development of youth known to the child welfare system.
• Commitment to equity, respect for tribal sovereignty, and respect for cultural, racial, and gender differences.
• Adaptability, curiosity, collaboration, self-reflection, and commitment to lifelong learning.
• Ability to contribute across teams and work effectively with external partners.
• Ability to protect confidential information by learning and following relevant policies and protocols and using sound judgment when handling and sharing information.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively across differences; work both autonomously and in teams; exercise independent judgment; and demonstrate organizational, analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Local travel for home visits, family meetings, and other required meetings; occasional out-of-town travel may be required.
• Driving on Casey business may require use of a personal vehicle; compliance with vehicle safety guidelines and qualification for insurance are required.
• Ability to lift and reach for light objects, maintain close visual acuity for preparing and analyzing data and figures, type using a computer keyboard, travel to outside locations, and work at a computer for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in or with state, county, or other government agencies.
• Experience with MS Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Bilingual skills in English and another language or languages.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized direct services to birth parents, kinship caregivers, and children through assessments, advocacy, system navigation, and individualized community support plans.
• Coach youth and caregivers in skills for navigating systems that affect safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Conduct home- and community-based visits with families and, when needed, supervise or transport participants for scheduled sibling visits.
• Collaborate with field office colleagues and multidisciplinary teams to assess family needs and strengths, identify services, and support culturally responsive, trauma- and healing-informed action plans.
• Support or provide training and coaching on trauma- and healing-informed care, culturally responsive services, and community and natural supports.
• Coordinate with vendors regarding services and reimbursement, and work with direct service staff on youth and family logistics for casework supports.
• Coordinate with the Family Developer on tasks related to kin family licensure.
• Maintain required case documentation and compliance with internal and external audit requirements; track required records and support best practices for expediting permanency in foster care.
• Maintain mailing lists of kinship families and information about family resources and caregiver trainings, and develop periodic community newsletters.
• Build networks and service linkages with local programs, including caregiver support groups, respite care, tutoring, afterschool activities, legal assistance, housing, and food services.
• Plan and participate in field office and community projects, youth and family groups and events, resource parent trainings, and recruitment and retention activities.
• Coordinate and lead support groups, family education sessions, advisory groups, afterschool activities and events, volunteer events, vocational field trips, and family events.
• Cultivate connections and teach skills for self-advocacy.
• Collaborate on process improvement and continuous learning activities, including clinical staffing, service reviews, referral assessment, and data analysis to inform practice and program improvements.
• Participate in efforts to mitigate disproportionate representation and disparities in outcomes for youth and families of color.
• As needed, participate in local, state, tribal, and other system improvement forums; contribute to Demonstration and Spread work; collaborate with Systems Improvement; and serve on Casey committees or task forces by appointment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Accrual of 12 days of annual leave and 12 days of sick leave.
• 10 paid holidays per year and one personal holiday each calendar year.
• Up to eight weeks of parental leave for eligible employees following the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• A three-month paid sabbatical for eligible employees after 10 years of continuous, full-time regular employment and in good standing.
• Opportunities for continued learning, training, and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED