This position is located in Sioux City, IA.  The Family Navigator is a professional staff member who is also the parent or primary care giver for a child or youth with special health care needs. The Family Navigator partners with families to identify and prioritize family needs; identifies and facilitates access to community services, including overcoming barriers to accessing services; models and coaches healthy coping strategies; promotes family strengths, advocacy skills and right to self-determination; and provides emotional supports by listening to concerns and sharing experiences.

·        Partner with families and Early ACCESS providers to develop, review and update the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

·        Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with families by maintaining monthly contact with families and ensuring that families are knowledgeable about service options as their child grows and changes.

·        Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with community agencies and service providers, parent to parent networks, support groups and CHSC staff members.

·        Collaborate with all providers and community partners to meet the needs of the families.

·        Coordinate services across agencies, and advance services.

·        Maintain and expand knowledge base about community, state and national resources and services.

·        Coach families on how to partner with service providers and make decisions about their child’s care.

·        Assist families to identify and prioritize goals along with supporting the family in implementing their goals.

·        Coach families on developing advocacy skills, empowerment strategies, and preparing for meetings. This assistance could occasionally include meeting with families at an offsite location.

·        Assist families as needed in applying for specific programs including assisting families in completing applications for services and obtaining assistance from agencies and programs selected by families.

·        Serve as liaison between families and service providers and participate in Early ACCESS home visits.

·        Practice trauma-informed care in serving families.

·        Achieve and/or maintain certification relevant to Early ACCESS service coordination in addition to completing Early ACCESS service coordination verification requirements.

·        Provide timely, accurate documentation of service/care coordination activities.

·        Maintain a designated work schedule.

·        Perform all other duties as assigned.

·        A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

·        Experience as a parent or primary care giver managing the care of a child with a special health care need.

·        Experience working with community partners and resources for children with special health care needs.

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills and work as a cooperative team member.

·        Proficiency in computer software applications, including demonstrated experience in using email and using the internet for locating resources.

·        Ability to travel in surrounding geographic area; and hold a valid driver’s license, plus the ability to meet the University of Iowa Fleet Safety Program driving standards (University of Iowa Operations Manual Part V, Chapter 19.

·        Experience serving in an advocacy role for families with a child with a special health care need.

·        Previous experience that demonstrates leadership skills.

·        Experience working or collaborating with Child Health Specialty Clinics programs and/or Early ACCESS.

·        Experience as a caregiver of a child with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or an IFSP.