Kinship Navigator Specialist

Job Identification:

Position Summary:

The Kinship Navigator provides comprehensive support, advocacy, and resource coordination to relative and kinship caregivers raising Quapaw Nation children. This position serves as a trusted guide for caregivers by helping them navigate complex systems, identify available resources, strengthen caregiving skills, and access services that promote family stability and child well-being.

The Kinship Navigator works collaboratively with Indian Child Welfare staff, Tribal programs, community organizations, schools, courts, healthcare providers, and state agencies to ensure caregivers receive culturally responsive, coordinated services. Through education, advocacy, and individualized case management, this position promotes family preservation, strengthens kinship placements, and helps prevent unnecessary entry into foster care whenever safely possible.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for relatives and kinship caregivers seeking assistance.
• Conduct strengths-based assessments to identify the needs of caregivers and children.
• Develop individualized Family Support Plans in collaboration with caregivers.
• Assist caregivers in identifying goals and overcoming barriers to maintaining stable placements.
• Provide information and referrals for tribal, federal, state, and community resources.
• Assist caregivers with applications and enrollment for available benefits and services.
• Coordinate referrals for legal assistance, behavioral health services, financial resources, educational supports, respite care, healthcare, childcare, housing, transportation, and other community services.
• Conduct home visits with kinship caregivers, as appropriate, to assess needs, provide support, and strengthen caregiver capacity within the home environment.
• Maintain regular contact with caregivers to monitor progress, evaluate service effectiveness, and address emerging needs.
• Provide advocacy and support while helping caregivers navigate child welfare, educational, healthcare, and court systems.
• Coordinate and facilitate support groups, educational workshops, parenting classes, and cultural programming for kinship families.
• Assist with implementation of Positive Indian Parenting, Circle of Keepers, and other evidence-informed or culturally based programming.
• Promote cultural identity by connecting children and caregivers with Quapaw Nation traditions, language, cultural events, and tribal resources.
• Collaborate with Indian Child Welfare staff, Juvenile Affairs, Adult Protective Services, Social Services, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to coordinate services.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with tribal departments, partner agencies, and community organizations.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case records in accordance with program policies and grant requirements.
• Collect data and maintain documentation necessary for grant reporting, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
• Assist with community outreach, caregiver recruitment, and public awareness activities related to kinship services.
• Represent the Quapaw Nation at community meetings, conferences, and outreach events as assigned.
• Ensure confidentiality while maintaining ethical and professional standards.
• Provide timely information regarding available resources and services to the Indian Child Welfare Manager.
• Other duties assigned by the Indian Child Welfare Manager.

Non-essential Job Functions:

• Attend meetings, seminars, workshops, and training sessions as required to support professional development and program objectives.

• Assist with special projects as assigned.
• May provide educational presentations to community partners or program participants.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Job Specifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with caregivers, children, families, and community partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to assess family strengths and identify available resources.
• Strong organizational, case management, and time management skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple services while maintaining accurate documentation.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and family-centered practice principles.
• Knowledge of community resources and public assistance programs.
• Knowledge of federal, tribal, and state child welfare systems and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other computer applications.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to crisis situations and make timely referrals.
• Ability to obtain a favorable adjudication certification within 90 days of hire.
• Must successfully pass a tribal background investigation and drug screening.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license in good standing and qualify under the Quapaw Nation Motor Vehicle Policy.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Family Studies, or a closely related field is preferred.

Experience:

• Experience working with Native American communities and knowledge of tribal culture and traditions preferred.
• Experience providing case management, resource coordination, family support, or social services preferred.
• Experience working with kinship caregivers, child welfare, family preservation, or prevention services preferred.
• A combination of education, training, and directly related professional experience may be considered.

Physical Abilities:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks that require reaching above shoulder level.
• Ability to push, pull, squat, kneel, bend, and safely lift and carry up to 10 pounds.
• Visual acuity sufficient to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to travel occasionally for meetings, training, seminars, or professional development opportunities.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions.
• Must maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity while working in a diverse environment.
• Frequent travel throughout the Quapaw Nation service area to conduct home visits, attend meetings, and participate in community outreach activities.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel may be required.

DISCLAIMERS:

This job description encompasses and describes most but not all tasks and responsibilities of the job. The management reserves the right to change the nature of the job and the job description with or without prior warning, as well as to give special consideration to circumstances related to the essential job functions on a case-by-case basis. The incumbent may be required by the management to perform other duties as assigned.

This job description does not constitute a contract for employment and may be changed at the discretion of the employer.PLEASE NOTE:Hiring preference in the following order will be provided to qualified members of the Quapaw Nation followed by spouse and caregivers of Quapaw Nation members and then other federally recognized tribes.The Quapaw Nation requires a designated candidate to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check and confirmation of professional references.

*The Quapaw Nation will not observe a medical marijuana card for any position deemed safety sensitive in accordance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act (Unity Bill).