Community Navigator

CHANCES (Caring, Helping, And Nurturing, Children Every Step) is a non-profit, charitable organization that exists to provide a range of child development and parent support services to children from 0-11 years and their families, particularly those experiencing additional life challenges. In the provision of a range of comprehensive programs and services, CHANCES receives funding through the Public Health Agency of Canada, the province of Prince Edward Island, and private donations. This position will be located in CHANCES Health Clinic and reporting to the Family Program Coordinator and collaborating closely with the nurse practitioners.

The Community Navigator will provide programming to children and families on mental health and wellness related topics including but not limited to : wellness planning, stress management, self-care, coping strategies, adaptability, confidence, comfort zones, work-life balance, healthy boundaries; inclusion, mindfulness, and self-esteem. They will work collaboratively in a team environment with other CHANCES staff and community referral partners; They will utilize an evidence-based and strengths-based approach to programming.

**SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Partner with clients in identifying and addressing individual and systemic barriers that adversely impact their quality of life;
- Engage and support clients in problem-solving, safety planning, harm reduction and accessing essential resources;
- Offer supportive counselling, referrals and advocacy; Navigators partner with health care professionals in a hands-on capacity to assist clients in setting priorities and achieving individual goals toward enhanced well-being and quality of life;
- Develop and facilitate weekly workshops on mental health for CHANCES families;
- Help participants fill out forms to gain access to community resources;
- Liaise with community members and organizations to stay up to date with Community resources available and referral processes ;
- Client follow-up after workshops which includes sending resource materials, mental health educational material and activities when applicable;
- Provide support to clients in completing administrative documents related to accessing services and resources;
- Maintain case summaries for clients and collect a range of demographic, health, and service use information from all contacts to complete database records that will allow for ongoing evaluation of the program;
- Monitor and provide proactive follow-up for clients and care partners to ensure ongoing collaboration across services/providers and to identify new care options to meet changing needs;
- Meet in person or virtually with people with clients, their caregivers, members of the care team, and other stakeholders who are looking for navigational support;
- Provide navigational support both to existing clinic clients and new clients of CHANCES;
- Screen and triage navigation requests, providing information and resources to determine the best next steps;
- Identify and prioritize needs of patients/their family, the care team, and stakeholders when approached for navigational support;
- Assist the research team with data collection and program evaluation;
- Compile annual report on gaps and/or barriers in relevant programs and services to the provincial government and other stakeholders.

**SPECIFIC KNOEWLEDGE AND SKILLS**
- Excellent communication skills, including verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication;
- Excellent organizational and information management skills;
- Experience in the assessment of client and family needs;
- Proficiency in reviewing and synthesizing medical records and other patient care information;
- Help support the coordination of care by working with the health and social care providers team and provide input into to the care plan if necessary;
- Be highly self-directed;
- An understanding of the critical importance of confidentiality;
- The ability to understand the health and social services and resources that are available in community and be able to suggest the most appropriate services needed;
- Experience with navigation services and knowledge of health, social, and education services and resources in PEI.

This position requires the incumbent to demonstrate compassionate care that is free of racism and discrimination to clients, families, community members, and other members of the health care team. Practicing from a trauma-informed care perspective is expected and the position requires that interaction with clients and families, community members, partners and colleagues is tactful, respectful and humble.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Diploma or degree in social service/social work or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Minimum 3 years' experience in human or health services;
- Extensive knowledge of local community service agencies and systems essential;
- Experience in outreach/community-based work preferred;
- Current PEI driver's license