Henrico

The Kinship Navigator provides comprehensive, trauma-informed support to relatives and fictive kin caring for children involved in or at risk of entering the child welfare system. Using an evidence-based navigation model, this role focuses on family identification, intensive engagement, service coordination, and connection to concrete supports to promote placement stability & timely permanency.

Family Engagement & Support:

• Identify and engage relatives and fictive kin as placement, permanency, and support resources through ongoing family finding. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for kinship caregivers, providing guidance, problem-solving, and ongoing support through case management and assessment, information and referral.
• Assess caregiver needs & barriers and develop strategies to promote placement stability & permanency.

Navigation & Resource Coordination:

• Assist caregivers in navigating child welfare, court, and related service systems. 
• Connect families to community services and facilitate access to concrete supports, including financial assistance, housing, food, childcare, transportation, and legal resources. 
• Educate caregivers on kinship care options, benefits, and available programs. 
• Work with service providers in the community to develop & enhance services and supports for kinship caregivers.

Permanency & Intensive Support:

• Support family team meetings and permanency planning efforts to ensure kinship caregiver engagement. 
• Provide short-term, intensive case management for high-need families, including hands-on assistance and crisis intervention to stabilize placements.
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Documentation & Program Support:

• Maintain accurate & timely documentation of contacts, services, and required data tracking. 
• Monitor outcomes related to service access, placement stability, and permanency. 
• Maintain & update resource materials, including web-based information for kinship caregivers. 

Other duties as assigned, to include participation in department and community meetings and shelter duty operations as directed by the County Manager.

The position requires knowledge of child welfare practices, including kinship care, permanency options, trauma-informed approaches, and the broader service continuum, as well as familiarity with community resources, public benefits, and court processes. The role requires strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to engage diverse families, coordinate across multiple systems, and respond effectively to crises. The successful candidate must be highly organized, able to manage competing priorities, and skilled in documentation and case tracking. This position also requires the ability to assess family needs, support individuals experiencing stress and trauma, advocate effectively, and work both independently and collaboratively while exercising sound professional judgment and maintaining confidentiality.

Valid driver's license to perform assigned duties at various locations.

Successful completion of all training requirements established pursuant to the VA 63.2-208. Standards for personnel.

Central Registry Check and Criminal history record check and fingerprinting of all employees in authorized and hourly safety sensitive positions.

Four (4) year degree in a relevant human services field in accordance with VA Code § 63.2-219, and three (3) years of relevant social work experience; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation (Dept. of Social Services, JRJDC, Juvenile Detention Home)