Benefits Navigator Job Details Job Location Miami - 5200 Blue Lagoon Drive - Miami, FL Position Type Full Time Education Level 4 Year Degree Salary Range $55000.00 - $55000.00 Salary/year Description Position Summary: Coordinate and manage all aspects of the Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP), ensuring caregiver eligibility, application completion, and compliance with agency and legal requirements. Collaborate with internal teams and caregivers to process subsidies, maintain accurate records in FSFN, and facilitate timely case closures. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of GAP and FTC processes while tracking and supporting all active cases from start to finish. Essential Job Functions: + Assist parents, caregivers, and family members in identifying and accessing available benefits and support resources + Provide guidance on services such as financial assistance, healthcare, education, and housing programs + Maintain current knowledge of local, state, and federal resources to connect families with appropriate support + Support families throughout the enrollment process, ensuring timely and accurate completion of necessary applications and documentation + Provide guidance and education to relative and non-relative caregivers regarding the Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) + Monitor and assess cases with children in relative or non-relative care to determine GAP eligibility + Verify caregiver qualifications for GAP, including Level I or II licensure and a minimum of six consecutive months receiving the foster care board rate + Review case plans to confirm appropriate language is included and ensure signed, court-approved plans are uploaded in FSFN under the legal documentation section + Launch and maintain the GAP page in FSFN throughout the case + Ensure that the GAP page in FSFN is updated and prepared for closure + Ensure all GAP closure requirements are completed accurately and in a timely manner + Assist caregivers with completing the GAP application, as needed + Obtain Title IV-E eligibility determination from the Lead Agency + Gather successor guardian details and complete all required background checks, documenting findings in FSFN + Review completed GAP applications submitted by caregivers for completeness and compliance + Collaborate with case managers, supervisors, and caregivers to negotiate appropriate GAP subsidy amounts + Submit all finalized documentation to the Lead Agency for review and approval + Initiate and record the Guardianship Assistance Agreement (GAA) within FSFN + Obtain signed hard copies of the GAA from both the caregiver and agency representative; ensure upload to the appropriate FSFN screen + Maintain a tracking system to monitor progress and status of all GAP cases + Draft and submit an enhanced GAP memo, if applicable, along with all necessary supporting documents to the Lead Agency + Continuously expand and apply knowledge of Family Team Conference (FTC) principles and procedures + Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Essential Qualifications: Education: + Bachelor’s Degree in the area of Psychology, Social Work or related behavioral science discipline, + Minimum two (2) years’ experience in child welfare, knowledge of dependency proceedings and dependency law; CWCM certification preferred + Ability to balance competing priorities and make independent judgments and decisions, + Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including presentation skills, + Access to a well-maintained vehicle, valid auto insurance, and a current and valid Driver’s License. + Bilingual preferred Experience and Competencies: + Three years of previously supervised work experience in child welfare related field. + Bilingual is preferred. + Physical required prior to hire; paid by agency + Expertise with the Florida Child Welfare Practice Model and knowledgeable in Child Welfare electronic system of record (FSFN or CCWIS). + Possess strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. + Availability to work a flexible schedule as required by the department, including nights and weekends. + Possess a current Background Clearance Screening Letter as required by DCF. + Valid Florida driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle + insurance is required; + The ability to identify and evaluate an individual’s strengths, barriers, problems, and + needs for the development of a Wellness and Recovery Plan + The ability to write assessments, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other consumer related data + Knowledge of the inter-relationship among substance use, mental health, and primary care disorders + Knowledge and application of developmental theories + The ability to evaluate the impact of substance use and mental health problems on the + consumer’s functioning in major life area + The ability to coordinate and integrate multiple services, as well as interface and communicate with internal and external providers + The ability to provide information to individuals and families concerning alcohol or other drug abuse, mental health problems, and the available services and resources + The ability to identify the needs of a consumer that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer/family to utilize the support systems and community resources available + The ability to identify crises when they surface; mitigate or resolve the immediate problem; and de-escalate the situation, including the ability to develop Safety Plans, as needed + The ability to assess the individual’s growth and development relative to normative development for his/her chronological age, including physical, emotional, cognitive, educational, and social development + Understanding of the relationship among mental health, substance use, physical health, and medication use on daily functioning + Understanding and application of federal, state, local and agency confidentiality rules and professional standards of conduct + Understanding of family dynamics, family roles, and family structure + Understanding of professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities + Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with members of a multidisciplinary team + Ability to organize, interpret, and communicate data in a comprehensive and effective manner + Ability to handle multiple tasks and effectively prioritize + Ability to network with internal and external departments and agencies + Understanding of issues related to cultural identity, ethnic background, age, developmental level, gender and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention and treatment. + Understands that different cultural and ethnic groups have different perceptions of health + Understands that different cultures define and perceive family and its importance differently + Ability to use trauma informed care principles including ensuring consumer safety, preventing/avoiding re-traumatization, maximizing trustworthiness, enhancing consumer choice, maximizing collaboration, and emphasizing empowerment + Ability to identify and describe key signs, symptoms, impact and manifestations of trauma + Aware of the differences between trauma informed and trauma-specific services + Understands the bidirectional relationships among substance use and mental disorders and trauma + Understands the differences among various kinds of abuse and trauma, including: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; domestic violence; experiences of war for both combat veterans and survivors of war; natural disasters; and community violence + Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values + Knowledge of Incident Reporting + Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality + Familiarity with WestCare services and programs + Demonstrates a high degree of dependability. + Maintains a good attendance record. + Observes working hours + Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor + Works independently with minimal supervision + Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job + Work time is always productive + Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies + Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others. + Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time. + Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare. + Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision + Maintains a positive attitude toward work + Ensures and maintains a safe working environment. + Work area is clean and orderly. + Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures. + Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with + the Center’s reporting procedures + Presents a positive personal image + Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor + CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test. + Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite + Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character + Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required. + Strong leadership and team management abilities. + Extensive knowledge of child welfare systems, case management, and regulatory compliance. + Experience in program development, quality assurance, and staff supervision. + Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. + Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. + Strong organizational and project management skills + Working Conditions: + Work is primarily performed in an office or outpatient treatment setting. + Some outdoor activities may be required. + Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation: Physical Demands: + Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques. + Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, + and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. + Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication. + Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility. + The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee. + Mental Demands: + Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. + Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. + Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings. + The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.