System Navigator

Reporting to the Program Lead and the Manager for Access and System Navigation, the **Navigator** serves as the first point of contact for children, youth, and families as they access the Children and Youth Mental Health milieu of services. The Navigator is responsible and accountable for ensuring the development of clearer pathways, evidence informed decision making, coordination of services and supports involved with children, youth, and families, while creating stronger sector and cross-sector partnerships in Halton.

For children, youth, and families who require services from a variety of funding sources and programs (such as Caroline Families First, Coordinated Service Planning, Ministry of Community and Social Services) the Navigator will work to create integrated access. This will require the Navigator to work collaboratively with children, youth, families, and community providers to address the needs of those who are seeking support.

Please note this is a **permanent, full-time** position.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Develop supportive working relationships with children, youth, and families where the desire for effective and efficient service, empathy, and quality of care for all clients is central to the Navigators’ work.
- Screen clients for a milieu of services using eligibility criteria and level of need assessment (CALOCUS), including information from youth, parents, individuals, cross sectoral agencies, partner organizations, and other pertinent stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with clients to co-create next steps for service.
- Support client flow by actively managing waitlists and communicating with clients to keep them updated.
- Identify emerging crisis situations and refer to the appropriate community organization and/or mechanism.
- Facilitate and maintain client records and data collection, including program statistics for the purpose of required reporting, evaluation, and or research.
- Work in collaboration with other agencies, services, and community partners in furthering the functions of Access and System Navigation.
- Participate with implementation work that is compliant with legislative guidelines, ROCK policies, and accreditation standards.
- Identify potential barriers, successes, and future trends that will impact Access and System Navigation.
- Participate in ongoing QI cycles to work towards well-defined goals that support the core agencies and system outcomes for families.
- Abide by the specific requirements of Section 28 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as any further health and safety responsibilities outlined in ROCK’s policy and procedure documents.
- Operationalize client safety through adhering to established policies and guidelines that ensure consistency in the delivery of quality and safe care, and by identifying and reporting any client safety incidents.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and ethical standards in compliance with ROCK policies.
- Undertake other assigned duties as required.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Education_:

- Graduate of a recognized university or a community college program with a degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Work, or equivalent education relating to specific populations being served.
- Experience_:

- A minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working in children and youth mental health settings.
- Evidence of a theoretical framework that guides the employee’s work and is compatible with the agency’s approach.
- Highly developed collaborative working style with the ability to work in a conciliatory, respectful manner within and between systems that service children, youth, and their families.
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to maintaining an optimistic, solution-focused and strength-based approach.
- Established working relationships with the Halton community service providers is an asset.
- Skills_:

- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and interviewing skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Strong case management skills
- Ability to advocate for others.
- Sound decision-making, conflict resolution, and creative problem-solving skills.
- Bilingualism is an asset.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Additional Requirements_:

- Ability to work flexible hours according to program needs.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and Mac OS operating systems with strong computer literacy skills to support real-time data entry into client information systems as well as working in a virtual environment.
- Ability to travel to various sites throughout Halton Region on an as needed basis.
- Current (within three months) criminal reference check with vulnerable sector search.
- Why work at ROCK?_
- We are the lead agency for Halton Region, providing mental health services to children, youth, and their families.
- We are an accredited organization by Accreditation Canada with exemplary standing.
- You get the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary and collaborativ