Kinship Navigator

Family Forward; Ascalon (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Pre‑tax health accounts

403(b) with company match

Paid holidays and wellness leave

Education assistance

Job summary

FamilyForward is seeking a Kinship Navigator to support kinship caretakers by guiding them through legal, educational, and medical systems and connecting them with community supports.

The role emphasizes safety, inclusivity, professional development, and a holistic approach to family well-being within a new, staff-focused facility. Expect comprehensive benefits and ongoing training to enhance service delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related human services field.
• Two or more years of experience in child welfare, family advocacy, case management, or related area.
• Lived experience in kinship care is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Accept and respond to referrals from the community, kinship parents, and inter-agencies needing help in providing effective care to children.
• Maintain frequent, open communication with direct supervisor regarding services delivered, concerns or questions.
• Obtain necessary releases and consents, as needed.
• Assist caregivers in identifying and removing barriers to receiving services.
• Create a Navigation Plan and needs assessment in partnership with the caregiver to meet identified needs.
• Collect and record all data on presenting problems and resources/supports in the client database system.
• Analyze data to identify trends and directions for future systemic advocacy efforts.
• Participate in ongoing meetings, professional memberships and trainings as required by the Program Supervisor and CPO.
• Act as liaison with key community stakeholders, develop open and clear communications with those partners, attending community meetings as needed.
• Develop professional knowledge and skills by attending in-service training sessions, conferences, and familiarizing with community publications.
• Complete 20 hours of annual training.
• Finish other projects or job duties as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Valid driver’s license

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Job description

Description

As a Kinship Navigator at FamilyForward, you will assist kin caretakers in understanding the complex legal, educational, and medical systems they will interact with, as well as a variety of social supports available in our community.

FamilyForward is committed to upholding the Organizational Health Anchors that we have set for the agency, including safety; mindfulness and self-regulation; relational health; cultural diversity; inclusivity, equity, and anti-racism; clinical lens; vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.

What puts FamilyForward Out Front:

• Brand new facility built intentionally to support the needs of staff and families
• Paid time-off for Agency Wellness Week (December 25th to December 31st annually)
• Programming based in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT)
• Emphasis on professional learning, growth, and development

How we wholeheartedly take care of our people:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
• Optional short-term disability
• Virtual medical and mental health care coverage
• Employee Assistance Program counseling services
• Pre-tax medical Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Reimbursement Account for deductible expenses over $1000 individual; $2000 for families
• 3% dollar for dollar company-matched 403(b) retirement savings account
• Company-paid long-term disability and life insurance
• 10 paid holidays in addition to Wellness Week (December 25th – 31st), including 2 floating holidays for religious/cultural celebrations
• Paid vacation time and health and wellness leave
• Education assistance program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer
• National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Eligible Site
• Member and active participant in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
• Gateway Empowerment Institute Non-Profit Partner

What to expect on a given day as a Kinship Navigator:

• You will accept and respond to referrals from the community, kinship parents, and inter-agencies needing help in providing effective care to children
• You will maintain frequent, open communication with direct supervisor regarding services delivered, concerns or questions
• You will obtain necessary releases and consents, as needed
• You will assist caregivers in identifying and removing barriers to receiving services
• You will create a Navigation Plan and needs assesment, in partnership, with the caregiver to meet identified needs
• You will collect and record all data on presenting problems and resources/supports given in client database system
• You will analyze data to identify trends and directions for future systemic advocacy efforts
• You will participate in ongoing meetings/professional memberships and trainings as required by the Program Supervisor and CPO
• You will act as liaison with key community stakeholders, develop open and clear communications with those partners, attending community meetings as needed
• You will develop professional knowledge and skills by attending in-service training sessions, conferences, familiarizing yourself with community publications, and accepting cases from other programs.
• You will complete 20 hours of annual training
• 
  You'll complete other projects or job duties as needed

You would be a good fit for this position if you:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in social work or related human services field; and two or more years of experience in child welfare, family advocacy, case management, or closely related area; Candidates having lived experience in kinship care or providing kinship care is preferred
• Possess a valid driver’s license and can operate a motor vehicle
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills
• Can handle confidential information, administrative details, work independently, prioritize work, and meet deadlines
• Can develop trust-based relationships with children, caregivers, and co-workers