Youth Navigator, Van Dyke Cornerstone – Case Management Expansion

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive.  We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in:  Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach more than 72,000 individuals and families each year at our 100 locations, including 10,000 youth.  CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families live in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

Program Overview

The Van Dyke Cornerstone Case Management Expansion is an enhancement to CAMBA’s DYCD-funded Cornerstone Community Center at Van Dyke Houses that brings an intensive, case-management approach to young adult participants ages 18–21. Using a strength-based, youth-centered, and trauma-informed lens, the program team engages high-risk young adults, develops Individual Service Plans (ISPs) addressing education, employment, health, and life skills, and acts as “expediters” connecting participants to City agencies and community providers for health, mental health, employment training, housing, food, and other supports.

Position: Youth Navigator

Reports To: Program Director

Location: Van Dyke Cornerstone

What The Youth Navigator Does:

• Practice Universal Precautions/Standard Protocol & Procedures.
• Comply with all Federal, State, City, and CAMBA security and privacy policies to protect the confidentiality of individual health information.
• Ensure the safety and security of all participants by following program protocols and procedures, including supervision, accident and incident reporting.
• Conduct ongoing outreach and recruitment to identify high-risk young adults ages 18–21 at the Cornerstone Community Center and throughout the surrounding community, and make initial contact with those not currently enrolled in the program.
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with identified participants and facilitate their connection to the Case Manager, to Individual Service Plan (ISP) services, and to Cornerstone activities.
• Work with the Case Manager on the implementation of participants’ ISPs, providing the outreach, follow-up, and continuous support participants need to complete their goals.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate all program activities, workshops, and events, including group development incentives, meals, recreation, trips, cultural events, and other opportunities for connection and growth.
• Drive participant attendance and follow-through by conducting reminder calls, texts, and in-person outreach, meeting participants where they are, and removing barriers to participation.
• Identify, recruit, organize, and coordinate the activities of up to four (4) Peer Support Leaders, including their participation in the Pay It Forward Program, outreach to fellow participants, and support of Healing Circles.
• Serve as the liaison between the program and community and agency resources, developing and maintaining partnerships that provide enhanced services for participants.
• Work with the local Cure Violence provider, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice’s Office of Neighborhood Safety, and Mayor’s Action Plan community engagement efforts to create a network of safety, accountability, and support for participants and the neighborhood.
• Coordinate with partner organizations and guest facilitators to schedule and deliver workshops, trainings, resource fairs, and special events at the Cornerstone Community Center.
• Meet with the families of participants to identify needs and supports, and to inform them of available program and community resources.
• Maintain accurate records of outreach contacts, participant enrollment, attendance, activities, events, and partner engagement, and enter data into required systems in a timely manner.
• Document program activity for funder reporting and site visits, including sign-in sheets, activity calendars, flyers, photographs, and event summaries.
• Provide crisis-informed support and immediate connection to the Case Manager or supervisor when a participant presents with an urgent need or safety concern.
• Attend required staff meetings, case conferences, partner meetings, community meetings, trainings, and program events.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with participants and follow all CAMBA, DYCD, and site-based policies, procedures, and safety protocols.
• Tasks may be modified, expanded, and/or assigned over time to meet program needs.

Qualifications:

Minimum Education Required:

• High school graduate or equivalent

Minimum Experience and Skills Required:

• All candidates must have at least three (3) years of experience in community work or community-centered activities in an area related to the duties of this position.
• Experience conducting outreach to and engaging high-risk or system-impacted young adults preferred.
• Experience planning and coordinating events, workshops, trips, and group activities.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Pre-employment Requirements:

If off-site or school-based, may require: Dept. of Health, Dept. of Education fingerprint clearance; doctor's note certifying good health; NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Sex Offender Registry clearance

Compensation: $53,000 annually 

Status: Full-time
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.