Hutton House Navigator
CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES·Modesto, California
CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES·Modesto, California
Provides initial screening, assessment, and service navigation for youth experiencing homelessness or in crisis. Coordinates with agencies to establish services, conducts family meetings, and manages intensive case documentation via HMIS.
Serves as the primary point of contact for families referred through Differential Response (DR) and AfterCare (AC), receiving, responding to, and providing all proper documentation for DR cases. Provides intensive case management for youth and their families with complex needs, including those at risk of child welfare involvement, youth identified as CSEC (or at risk of CSEC), and youth and families experiencing homelessness; responsible for intake integrity, case coordination, advocacy, counseling services (individual, parent, family, or group as indicated by age), follow-up, and aftercare. Conducts comprehensive assessments and initial screening with youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness, runaway youth, and youth and families in crisis found through outreach, walk-ins, phone calls, referrals, and differential response, with the objective of determining barriers, needs, appropriate interventions, and protective factors. Coordinates, schedules, prepares for, and facilitates Family Meetings, ensuring family and youth voices and needs are prioritized. Assists families in navigating services across multiple systems, including mental health, child welfare, public benefits, housing, and early childhood education. Provides warm hand-offs and follow-ups to ensure continuity of care and sustained support. Facilitates workshops, trainings, and group classes on a variety of relevant topics that promote family stabilization and strengthen protective factors, staff cohesion, and skill development. Maintains accurate and timely case documentation — including service encounters, contact notes, service plans, and client files — in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), agency database, and other required systems, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and compliance for reporting and evaluation. Conducts community outreach, presentations, and facility tours, and builds/maintains partnerships with other homeless service providers and community agencies to connect families with appropriate services and broaden awareness of the program. Provides crisis prevention, intervention, and response — including safety planning, stress management, and life skills development — and is available to assist participants and families during immediate needs, crises, or emergencies (e.g., child abuse reporting, suicide/homicide risk assessment, emergency medical or mental health needs) and difficult transitions. Participates in all required program trainings and certifications, seeks out learning opportunities for continued education, and stays up to date on best practices in ending homelessness. Establish goals in partnership with youth, concentrating on strengths and support youth in reaching those goals. Stay connected with individuals to ensure all appointments, linkages and aftercare activities are completed. Practice assertive, progressive engagement with individuals and families. Use persistent and creative methods to motivate, encourage participation, and promote follow-through. Maintain client intake documentation and forms. Work with other service providers to ensure that referrals and client lists are up to date and that clients are receiving quality care. Prepare reports as required. Provide flexible and mobile case management services, meeting clients at the time and location of their choice which may include nights and weekends. Meet or have contact with each participant and family members when appropriate, on a regular basis to provide support and promote stability. Develop individual service plans in coordination with community partners. Assists participants in developing and attaining goals related to education, vocational training, employment and/or other meaningful daily activities that improve over-all well-being. Must assess and seek consultation through regular case conferencing, presentations and treatment plans. When required, provide transportation to support activities for client's engagement; i.e. outings, community events and enrichment activities. Prioritize caseload and determine the level of contact, coordination and care needed for each participant. Work in the spirit of cooperation. Performs additional duties as assigned QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS: Minimum Bachelor's degree in social services or a related field, and/or relevant experience. Degree may be waived with a minimum 2-3 years progressive experience in a related field. Bilingual - English/Spanish strongly preferred. Ability to speak, read and write in Spanish, fluently. Experience working with families impacted by trauma, behavioral health needs, or child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems. Experience working with youth ages 13-24 in a supportive/coaching capacity. Experience working with youth who are homeless and/or have expressed mental health or substance use concerns preferred. Experience in crisis intervention, de-escalation, case management, group, family or individual counseling. Knowledge of Positive Youth Development, Trauma-informed Care, knowledge of protective factors, early childhood development, and local resources. Experience and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of organizations and with people of all ages, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Knowledge of public health, social services, nonprofit operations & local resources. Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in office software (Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams). Ability to travel for community engagement and events. Pass agency paid criminal justice screening including fingerprints. Pass agency paid TB (Tuberculosis) screening. Pass agency paid health screening and/or drug testing, if required. Valid California driver's license and current proof of auto insurance coverage, required. Pass agency paid MVR clearance with no more than 2 points - if you are under the age of 25 our insurance company will not allow any points.
Represent the agency in a professional and competent manner. Advocate for the best interests of the agency and clients we serve. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, clients, supervisors and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, ancestry, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, medical conditions, marital status, amnesty and military or veteran status. Will promote and support a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce and be responsive to the population within our service area. Maintain confidentiality and confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or agency regulations. Participate in assigned scheduled agency meetings, in-service trainings, conferences and other trainings as determined by the supervisor. This includes serving as an agency representative at assigned community meetings. Observance of assigned working hours and program appointments by demonstrating promptness and thorough preparation. Performance of assigned duties with a positive attitude and in the spirit of teamwork, collaboration and cooperation. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Perform job duties in a safe manner to ensure a safe working environment for oneself and others. Participates in and/or supports agency fund development activities and events. Preparation of assigned reports, work records, statistical data, job performance evaluations, work plans, etc. in a timely manner.
Market context
In California, behavioral-health roles tied to substance use disorder counseling and case management are typically supported by ongoing community and treatment-program demand. These positions are competitive because employers often look for a high school diploma, at least 2 years of SUD counseling or case management experience, and current Registered or Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor status. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit and note that professional development and paid continuing education are listed as benefits.
