Kinship Navigator

This position is responsible for the coordination and provision of services under the Kinship Navigator and Kinship Caregivers Support Program contract for Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, Walla Walla, and Asotin counties.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate services for the Kinship Navigator Caregivers Support Program contract.
• Provide outreach activities to inform the community of available kinship services.
• Provide information regarding Kinship services to schools, medical providers, senior and youth organizations, churches, social service agencies, and other institutions who may be serving this population.
• Lead kinship support groups and coffee chats.
• Help with the development of the bi-monthly newsletter.
• Develop informational materials available to eligible families and community organizations.
• Coordinate with Aging and Long Term Care (ALTC) and other community agencies providing services to kinship families.
• Participate in training with other Kinship Navigators through Catholic Charities.
• Participate in monthly technical assistance calls with other Kinship Navigators in WA State.
• Participate in the Kinship Case Management Model under direct supervision with the Kinship Lead/Supervisor, SE WA ALTC, and Home and Community Living Administration.
• Maintain reporting requirements and submit required data to SE WA ALTC.
• Maintain records, reports, and policies according to contract guidelines and the Kinship Case Management Guidelines.
• Input information into designated Kinship databases on children and families served.
• Provide screening and eligibility for KCSP Kinship families.
• Provide income eligibilities and qualification to families eligible for KCSP.
• Authorize vouchers/purchase orders for qualified children/families.
• Coordinate with Catholic Charities business office on approved KCSP allocations to families and follow procedures to ensure direct assistance to families are processed according to the agency guidelines.
• Provide information and referral to eligible Navigator Kinship families.
• Assist kinship caregivers in understanding and navigating the system of services and how to access them.
• Provide appropriate services that will assist caregivers in maintaining their role to prevent out-of-home placements.
• Assist families with Minor Guardianship and other services that promote permanency for the children.
• Enroll kinship families in the case management model and provide case management services to those families.
• Assure that kinship caregivers experiencing the most urgent/emergency needs are given the highest priority.
• Travel from Yakima to Tri-Cities offices to meet with clients as needed.
• Coordinate efforts with other service delivery agencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED, required.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, or a closely related field, preferred.
• 2 years of professional experience in family services or a related human field, OR lived experience as an informal relative caregiver, preferred.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and minimum required liability insurance for WA State.
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities’ liability insurance provider.
• Employment is conditional upon being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required.

Skills

• Able to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Possesses good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule and travel when required to provide outreach to rural counties.
• Knowledge of educational, medical, social service, and other resources in Central Washington.
• Ability to maintain detail in vouchering Kinship Caregiver Support Program (KCSP) expenses.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Physical Requirements

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting, or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, as well as keyboard fingering, talking, hearing, and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time.

Pay

$21 - $26 hourly, depending on education and experience.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities.
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment.
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities.
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment.
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment.
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long-term disability, accident, and ID theft.
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools.
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment.