Community Navigator

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work to strengthen collaboration between the IDS Registration Team, ASMT, Visions for Equality, and community partners, including families, schools, hospitals, community providers, service coordination organizations, and other referral sources.
• Provide timely, clear, and effective communication with individuals, families, and referral partners regarding the IDS registration process, required documentation, and next steps.
• Meet with individuals and families in community settings, as appropriate, to provide navigation support related to IDS registration.
• Help individuals and families gather, or access required basic documentation for registration, including birth certificate, Social Security card, medical insurance card, photo identification, and proof of residence and financial information as needed.
• Help individuals and families obtain existing evaluations, medical records, school records, and other supporting documentation needed for IDS review.
• Explain the documentation pathways for different registration categories, including Intellectual Disability, Autism, Developmental Disability for children under age 9, and Medically Complex Condition for individuals under age 21.
• Provide education regarding required clinical and medical documentation, including signed evaluation reports, adaptive functioning measures such as the Vineland or ABAS, evidence of age of onset, and forms such as the MA 51 and DP 1090 when applicable.
• Assist families in the completion of adaptive functioning measures such as the Vineland or ABAS.
• Support individuals and families in organizing records and preparing materials for submission to the IDS Registration Unit.
• Identify barriers delaying registration, including difficulty obtaining records, confusion about documentation requirements, limited system knowledge, or trouble understanding next steps, and help problem-solve around those barriers.
• Coordinate closely with Registration staff so that outreach, follow-up, document collection efforts, and case updates are communicated and tracked appropriately.
• Maintain ongoing follow-up with individuals or families, as needed, to support progress toward registration readiness and the completion of waiver enrollment documentation.
• Conduct outreach and education in the community regarding IDS access, registration pathways, and how to start the process through IDS contact points.
• Provide general education on next-step service pathways, including that IDS registration is the first step toward PFDS Waiver access and assists with waiver-related documentation processes based on identified service needs.
• Provide basic guidance on waiver-related documentation expectations at a high level, including awareness that Medical Assistance, County Assistance Office financial review, and financial records may be needed later in the waiver process; refer individuals to the appropriate staff or support coordinator for detailed waiver processing.
• Enter and maintain accurate outreach, navigation, and participant data in designated systems or tracking tools.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, supervision, and required training.
• Collaborate with Vision for Equality Navigator to support similar Registration and Waiver Enrollment processes through monthly meetings and ongoing communication.

Skills Required

• Strong clinical and case management skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to navigate the community systems in Philadelphia.
• Knowledge of and or ability to understand Intellectual Disability and Behavioral Health disorders, and co-occurring challenges.
• Cross-cultural skills and experience with culturally diverse populations.
• Knowledge of benefits, how to activate benefits, and how to leverage benefits to access treatment and resources.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills. Knowledge of multiple languages a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and agencies representing varying perspectives and interests.

Education and Experience

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Equal Opportunity Employment

Americans with Disabilities Act