The Family Transition Navigator provides information, training, referrals, mentoring, and systems navigation support to families and transition-aged youth with disabilities (ages 14–26). The goal is to increase knowledge and skills within families as they navigate from school-based services to adult systems, with a strong focus on employment, education and independent living. Services emphasize family, including youth and young adults, understanding of transition planning, legal rights, service eligibility, and the coordination of supports from agencies such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and AHCCCS. Outreach includes communities that are culturally diverse, underserved, and have limited English proficiency.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide individualized and/or group support to families and youth ages 14–26 on transition-related topics including education, employment, independent living, healthcare, and legal rights.
- Help families and youth understand transition timelines, IEP/504 planning, and legal shifts at age 18, including age of majority and guardianship alternatives.
- Assist families and young adults in accessing, applying to, and navigating adult employment services such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), including the coordination of service plans and understanding eligibility and roles of each system.
- Guide families and youth in exploring career planning, pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS), supported employment, and postsecondary training opportunities.
- Collaborate with schools, agencies, and community partners to improve transition-to-adulthood outcomes for youth with disabilities.
- Conduct outreach and training on transition topics for families, youth, educators, and professionals, with a focus on building awareness of adult service systems and promoting high expectations for employment.
- Maintain accurate documentation of interactions and services provided in accordance with grant requirements and organizational procedures.
- Participate in team meetings, community events, and interagency collaborations to strengthen the statewide transition network.
Qualifications:
- High level of knowledge and experience supporting transition-aged youth with disabilities and their families.
- Experience with or understanding of adult service systems including VR, DDD, and AHCCCS, as well as transition programs and services associated with said programs, specifically Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and Transition School to Work (TSW) programs.
- Knowledge of special education law, IEP/504 transition planning, and self-determination principles.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; commitment to family and person-centered approaches.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in compliance with FERPA and HIPAA.
- Effective at training and presentation delivery, with an understanding of adult learning principles.
- Skilled in documenting service interactions, data entry, and maintaining current resource information.
- Able to build and maintain productive relationships with staff, families, service providers, and agency partners.
- Strong time management and flexibility in responding to a variety of work tasks.
- Competent in basic information technology. Available for travel, evening, and weekend hours.
Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in special education, rehabilitation, social work, or a related field; Bi-lingual in Spanish.
Salary Range: $22.00 – 24.50/hour
Encircle Families is committed to diversity in the workplace. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Please send an email with your resume to humanresources@raisingspecialkids.org.