Behavioral Health Coordinator

University of Iowa Healthcare, Child Health Specialty Clinics (CHSC), is seeking a 50%25 Family Navigator. Position is specified term through June 30, 2027 with strong likelihood of renewal. This position is located in Carroll, IA.

Position Summary

The Family Navigator is a professional staff member who is also the parent or primary care giver for a child or youth with special health care needs. The Family Navigator partners with families to identify and prioritize family needs; identifies and facilitates access to community services, including overcoming barriers to accessing services; models and coaches healthy coping strategies; promotes family strengths, advocacy skills and right to self-determination; and provides emotional supports by listening to concerns and sharing experiences.

Position Responsibilities

Partner with families and Early ACCESS providers to develop, review and update the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with families by maintaining monthly contact with families and ensuring that families are knowledgeable about service options as their child grows and changes.

Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with community agencies and service providers, parent to parent networks, support groups and CHSC staff members.

• Collaborate with all providers and community partners to meet the needs of the families.
• Coordinate services across agencies, and advance services.
• Maintain and expand knowledge base about community, state and national resources and services.
• Coach families on how to partner with service providers and make decisions about their child’s care.
• Assist families to identify and prioritize goals along with supporting the family in implementing their goals.

Coach families on developing advocacy skills, empowerment strategies, and preparing for meetings. This assistance could occasionally include meeting with families at an offsite location.

Assist families as needed in applying for specific programs including assisting families in completing applications for services and obtaining assistance from agencies and programs selected by families.

• Serve as liaison between families and service providers and participate in Early ACCESS home visits.
• Practice trauma-informed care in serving families.
• Achieve and/or maintain certification relevant to Early ACCESS service coordination in addition to completing Early ACCESS service coordination verification requirements.
• Provide timely, accurate documentation of service/care coordination activities.
• Maintain a designated work schedule.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience as a parent or primary care giver managing the care of a child with a special health care need.
• Experience working with community partners and resources for children with special health care needs.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills and work as a cooperative team member.

Proficiency in computer software applications, including demonstrated experience in using email and using the internet for locating resources.

Ability to travel in surrounding geographic area; and hold a valid driver’s license, plus the ability to meet the University of Iowa Fleet Safety Program driving standards (University of Iowa Operations Manual Part V, Chapter 19.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience serving in an advocacy role for families with a child with a special health care need.
• Previous experience that demonstrates leadership skills.
• Experience working or collaborating with Child Health Specialty Clinics programs and/or Early ACCESS.
• Experience as a caregiver of a child with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or an IFSP.
• Percent of Time: 50%25
• Location: Carroll, IA
• Salary: Minimum $19,765.00 Maximum $34,903.00

Benefits Highlights: Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.

University of Iowa Healthcare is recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®

Child Health Specialty Clinics is a community-based public health agency that serves children and youth, birth through 21, who live in Iowa and have or are at an increased risk for a chronic condition, and have a need for special services.

Chronic conditions can include physical, developmental, behavioral and/or emotional issues. Services are provided through family-to-family support, care coordination and clinical services.

Child Health Specialty Clinics is committed to health equity by ensuring Iowa’s children and youth with special health care needs have access to health care that provides equal opportunity for health and well-being.

Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact Lisa Dismang at lisa-dismang@uiowa.edu