Community Resource Navigator in Los Angeles, California at Connections for Children

About Connections for Children

Connections for Children (CFC) is a non-profit Child Care Resource and Referral agency serving child care providers, educators, and parents in the West Los Angeles and South Bay communities. For nearly 50 years, CFC has been a key community resource, empowering families and child care providers to ensure every child has access to quality early care and education. Through child care referrals, financial assistance, family engagement, and workforce development programs, CFC strengthens the link between families, providers, and the broader community, promoting the well-being and optimal development of young children. Committed to equity and excellence, CFC is a steadfast advocate for the nurturing and educational needs of all children, continually evolving to meet the changing demands of the community.

Connections for Children is focused on expanding programs to serve more people throughout our service area, while investing in staff and organizational capacity to ensure mission success. By establishing a more diverse revenue base, CFC is sustaining and growing its impact, prioritizing equity, and inclusivity in all efforts. This prioritization affirms CFC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, particularly in serving underserved populations, and positions the organization to embrace innovation and cultivate strong partnerships for the betterment of countless children and families.

About the Position

The Community Resource Navigator is responsible for providing child care resource and referral services to families; maintaining the My Child Care Plan (MCCP) provider database; assist in managing the CareWait eligibility list and providing technical assistance to families applying for subsidy services; coordinating MCCP tech support and trainings; helping families navigate and access community resources that support family wellbeing; and staffing visibility events and Family Time programming.

Primary Responsibilities

Community Resource Navigation and Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for families seeking information, navigation, and support related to child care options.
• Provide education, technical assistance, and information to families regarding available community-based resources and services that meet basic needs. Support families with subsidy program eligibility list applications and related processes.
• Provide navigation and assistance related to public benefit systems, including health coverage and related access programs.
• Support families of children with special needs and disabilities by identifying resources, explaining service options, and coordinating referrals.
• Facilitate warm hand-offs and referrals to community partners, non-profit organizations, public agencies, and service providers as needed.

Program and Outreach Support

• Assist in planning, coordination, and facilitation of department trainings, workshops, outreach events; including Family Time, Parent Cafés, and annual visibility events.
• Support in tracking and reporting participant attendance and required program documentation.
• Operate agency vehicles to support delivery and distribution of materials to providers and program participants.

Provider Services and Data Management

• Maintain accurate and current provider and program records within the My Child Care Plan database in accordance with agency policies and contract requirements for audits.
• Collect, track, and report provider data, including quarterly open and closed provider status updates, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepare and implement quarterly provider update mailings and other provider communications as needed.
• Stay current on local resources and services to support providers and families.

Professional Practice and Team Collaboration

• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders while working cooperatively within and across departments and with community partners.
• Represent the agency professionally in all interactions, including in person, by phone, electronically, and in written communication.
• Demonstrate effective time management and organization in completing assigned responsibilities.
• Utilize training, meetings, and professional development opportunities to maintain industry knowledge.
• Contribute to departmental goals and meet established deadlines.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and annual retreats.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Associate Degree in Child Development or a related field, or at least two years of experience working with families from diverse backgrounds in a culturally responsive manner, strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children.
• Bilingual English/Spanish Skills strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn public benefits systems, including Medi-Cal and DHCS programs.
• Experience supporting families of children with special needs and disabilities, or willingness to be trained, preferred.
• Ability to assess family needs and provide trauma-informed, family-centered support.
• Experience facilitating trainings and conducting community outreach, preferred.
• Experience facilitating direct assistance programs, strongly preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain compliant records for reporting and audits.
• Strong reading, writing, and oral communication are required.
• Proven ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• Ease speaking in front of small and large audiences.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) required. Adept in learning new technologies and software.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are essential.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong organizational skills are needed to meet designated deadlines.
• Must have visual, physical, and technical ability to independently use a computer and copier, requires occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching; requires regular standing, walking, sitting, talking and hearing.

Transportation and Driving Requirements

• Valid California Driver’s License with a clean driving record and proof of liability insurance required.
• Must have reliable personal transportation for local travel and meet agency insurance requirements.
• At least one year of work-related driving experience preferred.

Working Conditions

• Typical of an office environment.
• Ability to work flexible days as work may include occasional evenings and weekends.
• Eligible for hybrid/telework schedule upon completion of introductory period.
• Must comply with agency health, safety, and screening requirements applicable to the position.

Benefits

Connections for Children offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

Medical, Dental & Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), and PTO.

Organizational Statement

This job description is intended to provide an overview of the requirements of the position. As such, it is not necessarily all-inclusive, and the job may require other essential and/or non-essential functions, duties, or responsibilities not listed herein. Management reserves the sole right to modify this job description at any time. Nothing in this job description is intended to create a contract of employment of any type. Employment at Connections for Children is strictly on an at-will basis.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Connections for Children is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Connections for Children are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal and CA state laws.