PARENT EDUCATOR / COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR CASE MANAGER

Job Title: Parent Educator / Community Navigator Case Manager

Location: Visalia, CA

Hours: Full-Time – 37.5 hours per week

Wage: Hourly

Position Description: The Parent Educator / Community Navigator Case Manager provides individualized case management, parent education, parent-to-parent support, advocacy, resource navigation, and family support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with special needs, and their families. This position operates across two grant-funded programs and is responsible for meeting the service requirements, outcomes, documentation standards, and caseload expectations established by each funding source. The position supports families in navigating complex systems, including Regional Center services, special education, healthcare, behavioral health, public benefits, housing, transportation, and other community-based resources. The Case Manager empowers families to understand their rights, access appropriate services and supports, advocate effectively for themselves and their children, and develop the skills necessary to increase independence and self-sufficiency. The Parent Educator / Community Navigator Case Manager will establish trusting, professional relationships with families and provide services through home visits, office appointments, telephone calls, virtual meetings, community visits, support groups, and other appropriate methods of contact. This position requires a compassionate, organized, self-motivated, and culturally responsive professional who is able to work independently while managing a caseload, meeting grant-required service goals, maintaining accurate and timely documentation, tracking client communication and service contacts, and ensuring compliance with agency policies, grant requirements, and applicable regulations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESCase Management & Family Support Provide comprehensive, individualized case management services to assigned individuals and families. Conduct intake procedures and assessments to identify client strengths, needs, barriers, risks, and service goals. Develop, implement, monitor, and update individualized service plans in collaboration with clients and families. Maintain an assigned caseload and consistently meet grant-required caseload, contact, service, and outcome goals. Monitor caseload activity to ensure clients receive services and follow-up within required timeframes. Maintain regular and meaningful contact with assigned clients through home visits, office appointments, telephone calls, text/email communication when appropriate, virtual meetings, and community-based visits. Conduct required home visits to assess family needs, provide support and education, monitor progress, identify barriers, and connect families with appropriate resources. Track and document all client contacts, including the date, method of contact, purpose, services provided, referrals, outcomes, and follow-up needs. Follow up consistently with clients regarding referrals, applications, appointments, service access, and identified goals. Respond promptly and professionally to client phone calls, emails, and other communications. Assist families with scheduling appointments with social service agencies, healthcare providers, Regional Centers, schools, and other community organizations. Provide transportation or transportation assistance when authorized and appropriate under program requirements. Provide compassionate, family-centered and strengths-based support to individuals and families. Maintain professional boundaries and uphold ethical standards in all interactions with clients, families, community partners, and staff. Parent Education & Advocacy Provide parent-to-parent support and education to families of children and individuals with special needs. Educate parents and caregivers regarding the special education system, including IEPs, 504 Plans, IDEA, parent rights, and educational advocacy. Assist parents in understanding their rights and responsibilities within the special education system. Attend and/or support families during IEP, 504, transition, and other educational meetings when appropriate. Assist families with navigating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and other educational advocacy processes. Provide education and support regarding Regional Center services, Individual Program Plans (IPPs), generic resources, benefits, and community-based services. Educate families on how to effectively advocate for their children and participate in service-planning processes. Provide parent education, workshops, presentations, and/or support groups as required by program or grant goals. Facilitate or co-facilitate family education and support groups. Assist families in developing skills, knowledge, and support systems that promote long-term independence and self-advocacy. Resource & Referral Navigation Identify and connect families with appropriate community resources and services. Assist clients in accessing medical, educational, behavioral health, mental health, housing, financial, transportation, employment, and social service resources. Assist families with applications, forms, and written correspondence related to services and benefits, including programs such as SSI, CCS, Regional Center services, and other applicable resources. Maintain current knowledge of local community resources, social service systems, eligibility requirements, and referral processes. Follow up on referrals and assist families in overcoming barriers to accessing services. Advocate for individuals and families to ensure they receive appropriate services, supports, and accommodations. Develop and maintain a strong network of community resources and supports for families. Community Outreach & Collaboration Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Regional Centers, tribal organizations, schools, healthcare providers, government agencies, social service organizations, and other community partners. Promote culturally responsive, family-centered, and trauma-informed services. Provide services that are respectful of the cultural, social, and individual needs of each family. Participate in community outreach activities, including resource fairs, community events, presentations, and other agency outreach activities. Assist with agency outreach efforts, including website, social media, newsletters, and other approved communication platforms. Represent Parenting Network professionally within the community. Participate in interdisciplinary collaboration and coordinate services with other professionals and service providers as appropriate. Caseload, Grant Compliance & Performance Maintain an assigned caseload in accordance with program and grant requirements. Meet or exceed established grant-required caseload, client-contact, service-delivery, documentation, and outcome goals. Monitor individual caseloads to ensure required contacts, home visits, assessments, service plans, referrals, and follow-up activities are completed within established timelines. Maintain accurate tracking of client contacts and services provided for grant reporting and program monitoring purposes. Ensure all required grant deliverables and documentation are completed accurately and submitted within established deadlines. Participate in program data collection and assist with tracking outcomes and performance measures. Notify the supervisor of barriers that may prevent the employee from meeting caseload, contact, or grant requirements. Maintain documentation that clearly supports services provided and demonstrates progress toward client and program goals. Participate in audits, file reviews, quality assurance activities, and other monitoring processes as required. Documentation & Social Work Responsibilities Maintain accurate, timely, organized, and confidential case records in accordance with agency policies, grant requirements, and applicable laws and regulations. Complete progress notes, case notes, assessments, service plans, referrals, contact logs, reports, and other required documentation within established timelines. Document client interactions and services in sufficient detail to demonstrate the purpose, outcome, and follow-up needs of each contact. Maintain confidentiality and protect client information in accordance with agency policies and applicable privacy requirements. Recognize and report suspected child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse to the appropriate authorities as required by law. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and adhere to applicable ethical and professional standards. Use sound judgment when addressing client needs, safety concerns, mandated reporting situations, and complex service-system issues. Consult with supervisors regarding client situations, safety concerns, ethical questions, and cases requiring additional support or intervention. Participate in case consultation, supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities. Complete all required agency, grant, compliance, and professional trainings within established deadlines. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Child Development, Special Education, or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered. Experience providing case management, family support, parent education, community outreach, social services, or advocacy preferred. Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or other special needs populations strongly preferred. Experience working with Native American communities and/or culturally diverse populations highly desirable. For the Parent Educator component of the position, the applicant must be a parent, grandparent, or sibling of a child with special needs, or have a minimum of five years of experience working within the special needs community. Knowledge of Regional Center services, special education, IEPs/504 Plans, public benefits, community resources, and social service systems preferred. Understanding of person-centered planning and family-centered service delivery. Ability to conduct home visits and provide services in clients' homes and community settings. Strong understanding of professional boundaries, confidentiality, documentation, and ethical service delivery. Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage a caseload and meet multiple deadlines. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong advocacy, problem-solving, and resource-navigation skills. Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with individuals and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Ability to work independently while appropriately seeking supervision and consultation when needed. Ability to maintain accurate documentation and meet grant and agency documentation requirements. Ability to manage multiple cases, priorities, appointments, deadlines, and client needs simultaneously. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic documentation/case management systems. Valid California Driver's License, reliable transportation, and current automobile insurance required. Ability to pass all required background clearances. PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT Ability to work in an office, client home, school, community, and other service environments. Regular travel throughout the community and service area is required. Ability to conduct home visits and meet with clients in various community settings. Ability to sit, stand, walk, and communicate effectively for extended periods. Ability to safely transport program materials and supplies as needed. Must be able to maintain professionalism and composure when working with individuals and families experiencing stressful or challenging circumstances. PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS Successful performance in this position requires the employee to: Maintain required caseload levels. Meet grant-required client-contact and service-delivery expectations. Complete required home visits and follow-up activities. Maintain timely and accurate client documentation. Track all required client communication and service contacts. Meet grant reporting and outcome requirements. Provide high-quality, family-centered, culturally responsive services. Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries. Demonstrate strong advocacy and resource-navigation skills. Communicate effectively with clients, families, supervisors, and community partners. Complete all required documentation, reports, trainings, and compliance activities within established deadlines. Demonstrate reliability, accountability, organization, and sound professional judgment.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits: Dental insurance

Education: Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience: Case management: 2 years (Preferred)

Language: Spanish (Required)

Work Location: In person