Kinship Navigator at Family Centered Services of CT – New Haven, Connecticut

Job Title: Kinship Navigator

Supervisor: Connecti-KIN (C-KIN) Program Director

Qualifications:

A minimum of 2 years of closely related kinship/fictive kin care experience is required. Bachelor’s degree is preferred, but not required. Understanding of issues related to trauma, including intergenerational trauma, trauma informed service provision, separation and loss. Understanding of how substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental illness impact family life. Knowledge of child and adolescent development and family dynamics.. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the special dynamics and needs of kinship families. Knowledge of the Greater New Haven child and adult service system. Sensitivity to diverse cultures and language competencies. Demonstrated problem-solving, written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work flexible schedule required. Computer literacy and strong documentation skills required. Must have comfort in making home visits, own car, a CT driver’s license in good standing and agency-required auto insurance.

Responsibilities:

1. Respond to referrals about participation in C-KIN and follow up on the needs of families in a timely manner

2. Collaborate with kin families with an empathetic strengths-based orientation

3. Partner with diverse kin families to assess their needs

4. Identify goals and provide individualized care plans to support achieving their goals

5. Partner with other colleagues and experts such as: benefits coordinator, legal aid specialists, and other applicable partners

6. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of available services and resources for kinship caregivers and provide support in accessing those services, including clinical services

7. Meet with family as needed and update documentation with any major family changes that impact goals of the family

8. Enter required information about kinship families and their service experience in the C-KIN database in a timely and accurate manner

9. Participate in continuous quality improvement activities as they arise

10. Participate in monthly meetings with DCF’s Regional Gatekeeping Liaison

11. Support family during DCF-involved services at the family’s request

12. Work with family to identify needed formal and informal supports and make needed linkages and referrals

13. Be available for on-call duties

14. Build relationships with community organizations, groups and resources and represent the agency in related neighborhood and community meetings, groups and committees

15. Attend staff, intake evaluation and other agency and program required meetings

16. Prepare for, attend, and actively participate in regularly scheduled supervisory meetings with the C-KIN Director

17. Promote the agency’s services, programs, image, and philosophy to the public

18. Responsible for managing own time and schedule

19. Perform any other reasonably related duties assigned by the C-KIN Director

20. Maintain timely, accurate, organized, and complete individual case files

21. Maintain strict confidentiality