Youth and Family Care Connection, Parent Navigator

New Oakland Family Centers offers top-tier psychiatric care, therapeutic counseling, and educational services to individuals and families. We are committed to providing consistent, compassionate support, responding to each person's needs, and treating everyone with the highest level of respect through active engagement in our communities.

Location: Pontiac

Schedule: Full time; Shift-based schedule; Five, 8.5-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, with day shifts from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM as determined by Director or Supervisor. Weekend and holiday coverage as needed.

Reports To: Director of Crisis Services / Supervisor of Crisis Services

Compensation: Hourly Employee; $19-$22/hour. Commensurate with experience.

Position Summary: The Youth and Family Care Connection (YFCC) Parent Navigator is a full-time position that combines clinical and administrative responsibilities within the 24/7 short-term crisis stabilization unit for children. The Parent Navigator will offer support, advocacy, and guidance to parents and/or guardians of children receiving crisis and other services at New Oakland Family Centers. This role involves close collaboration with both clinical and administrative staff to ensure the delivery of safe, efficient, and effective care for children and their families across various populations.

Desired Skills:

• Strong understanding of crisis management models and New Oakland's service programs.
• Ability to quickly assess situations, prioritize urgency and risks, and make timely, sound decisions to benefit consumers and the program.
• Capacity to remain calm and collaborate effectively with the team during crisis situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively engage diverse populations, including children, adolescents, and adults.

Essential Duties / Functions:

• Foster a safe, nurturing environment that promotes respect, diversity, acceptance, and compassion while maintaining professional and appropriate boundaries with clients and staff at all times.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to parents/guardians of children referred to clinical services, ensuring engagement and promoting positive outcomes throughout the duration of care.
• Conduct follow-up outreach with discharged consumers at designated intervals to ensure continued support.
• Serve as a liaison between parents/guardians, clinical staff, and the community to facilitate effective communication and meet the needs of families.
• Identify and provide relevant community resources to parents/guardians, including support groups and educational training sessions.
• Identify and respond to verbal and non-verbal cues of potential aggressive behaviors, utilizing de-escalation techniques when necessary. Respond to critical situations, including CPI-approved physical interventions and CPR, as required.
• Assist in managing front desk responsibilities as needed, including greeting visitors, answering phone calls, directing inquiries to appropriate staff, and maintaining a welcoming environment for all consumers and visitors.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary treatment team to address the care needs of consumers and provide ongoing parent support.
• Complete required documentation in accordance with clinic policies and within a 24-hour timeframe.
• Assist with data collection, reporting, and other administrative tasks as needed.
• Communicate daily with Crisis Services staff regarding clinical and administrative matters, contributing to a collaborative work environment.
• Adhere to all security and operational procedures, staying current with professional training requirements.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and contribute to a collaborative work environment.
• Exhibit a positive attitude toward learning and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
• Demonstrate ability to accept constructive feedback, implement guidance, and show a willingness to grow and improve professionally.
• Stay current with professional training requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support clinic operations.
  

Working Conditions:

• Employees are expected to maintain a professional appearance in alignment with the Employee Handbook and be prepared for active engagement with clients.
• Employees are to work in an acute, locked-down crisis unit within a high-intensity crisis center environment with exposure to behavioral and medical events that could pose physical hazards.
• Employees are expected to actively engage with clients, including using approved CPI techniques or intervening in elopement situations when necessary
• May require prolonged periods of standing, moving and bending. Reasonable accommodations can be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions as needed.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds as needed.
• The position involves prolonged active listening and verbal communication.
• Proficiency in using computers, phones, and office equipment for documentation and telehealth purposes is necessary. This includes but is not limited to Office 365 and Electronic Medical Record systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field, or a comparable combination of experience and education required.
• Personal experience as a parent/guardian of a child who has received acute psychiatric help, preferably within the CMH setting, highly preferred.
• One year of related administrative experience required.
• Training/certification as a facilitator of parent-based services and support groups preferred.
• Must be able to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and all populations, including children.
• Must possess a valid driver's license with an approved driving record that meets facility and insurance requirements.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development

Qualification

High School or equivalent