Connectfasd Navigator

**Job Title**: ConnectFASD Navigator
**Reports to**: Supervisor -C.A.R.E Connect Intake
**Classification**: Full-time, salaried (40 hours per rotation, 4 days on, 3 days off)
**Vision**: The Calgary Fetal Alcohol Network believes in a community where no family faces FASD alone, and individuals thrive.
**Mission**: Working together through innovative action, we champion a healthy response to FASD in Calgary and surrounding areas.
Job Summary
The ConnectFASD Navigator will play a crucial role in providing exceptional support and assistance to our clients, ensuring a positive and seamless experience throughout their interaction with our organization. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to helping clients navigate services and resources effectively.
Accountabilities
Client Assessment
- Conduct in-depth initial interviews with new clients and, when applicable, their families or caregivers, to gather comprehensive information. This includes understanding the client's understanding of FASD, any previous diagnoses, interventions tried, and the impact of FASD on their daily life.
- Utilize a variety of assessment tools and questionnaires tailored to FASD to evaluate cognitive, emotional, and social needs, ensuring a holistic understanding of each client’s situation.

Immediate Support and Guidance
- Offer emotional support and crisis intervention as needed during the intake process, providing a safe space for clients and families to express their concerns and needs.
- Implement solution-focused strategies to address urgent issues, offering practical advice and coping mechanisms to stabilize clients until further support can be arranged.
- Implement and oversee light touch supports, providing quick and accessible assistance for clients with minor queries or immediate needs, including food bank referrals, support with FSCD, AISH, PDD, and guardianship paperwork.
- Provide light touch support for C.A.R.E team clients that need support if the connector is on days off.

Intake Sessions
- Conduct initial intake sessions aimed at establishing rapport, setting expectations for the therapeutic relationship, and beginning to address the client’s most pressing concerns.
- Introduce clients and families to the concept of FASD, including what it entails, how it may affect them, and the types of support and interventions that are available, ensuring they feel informed and empowered from the outset.

Developing Preliminary Care Plans
- Based on initial assessments, create preliminary care plans that outline immediate steps for intervention, support, and further evaluation. These plans should prioritize the most pressing needs identified during the intake process, whether they are emotional, behavioural, educational, or social.
- Clearly communicate the proposed care plan to clients and families, ensuring they understand the recommended next steps and how these steps fit into their broader support and intervention strategy.

Transition to Ongoing Care
- Ensure a smooth transition from the intake process to ongoing support services, whether within the organization or through external providers. This includes scheduling follow-up appointments, confirming the client's understanding of and agreement with the care plan, and establishing a point of contact for future communications.
- Provide clients and families with a welcome packet or resource guide that includes information on FASD, a summary of their care plan, contact information for their care team, and a list of useful resources and support groups.

Navigation Assistance
- Operate a support and information helpline to provide timely assistance to clients in need.
- Identify needs that extend beyond the scope of the organization’s services and make referrals to appropriate services.
- Act as a bridge between the client and external services, facilitating introductions and sharing relevant information (with consent) to ensure a cohesive approach to care and support.
- Advocate for clients' needs, both within the organization and when interfacing with external agencies.
- Research and compile an updated list of community resources, including but not limited to housing assistance, food programs, employment services, mental health support, and educational opportunities.
- Regularly update and expand the resource database to ensure accuracy and relevance.
- Collaborate with local agencies and service providers to enhance the network of available resources.
- Educate clients on the resources available to them and provide guidance on accessing these services.

**Documentation and Compliance**:

- Ensure all information gathered during the intake and initial sessions is documented accurately and comprehensively in the client's record. This includes notes on the client’s history, the assessment process, immediate interventions provided, and the preliminary care plan.
- Maintain strict adherence to privacy laws and ethical guidelines