Family Care Coordinator & Wellness Navigator

YouthWell works with our partners in Santa Barbara County on youth mental health early intervention & prevention.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS ROLE

YouthWell is seeking a compassionate and resourceful Family Care Coordinator & Wellness Navigator to serve as a trusted advocate for youth and families seeking mental health and wellness support.

This role helps create a welcoming, inclusive environment while working closely with families to assess needs, overcome barriers, and connect them to appropriate services in a timely manner. This position provides enhanced care management for youth and their families and plays a critical role in coordinating with YouthWell’s partners, pediatricians, schools, and community mental health providers.

Candidates must be warm, organized, and deeply committed to equity, accessibility, and family-centered support.

This is a part-time or full-time position with a minimum 2-year commitment .

PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Family Care Coordination

• Build trusting relationships with families to serve as an advocate for youth and parents.
• Identify family needs and refer them to mental health and wellness resources that best meet those needs.
• Address barriers to access and ensure timely connections to care and services.
• Cultivate strong relationships with community partners (schools, pediatricians, providers).
• Provide a warm, welcoming experience that is trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally responsive.
• Intake, Assessment & Case Management
• Manage referrals from partner pediatricians, schools, and youth-serving organizations.
• Conduct initial assessments to identify needs, urgency, and appropriate resources.
• Maintain communication with families throughout their care journey, offering check-ins and follow-ups.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to ensure care alignment and progress toward goals.
• Track and document family engagement, progress, and outcomes.
• Ensure all data handling follows HIPAA regulations and confidentiality guidelines.
• Ensure continuity of support during absences by appropriately delegating responsibilities.

Advocacy & Resource Navigation

• Serve as a bridge between families and service providers, removing access barriers.
• Educate and empower families to advocate for their own needs.
• Attend relevant community meetings, including Youth Linkages Network, and tabling at events.
• Maintain strong community referral relationships and stay up to date on provider availability.
• Regularly update YouthWell’s Mental Health & Wellness Resource Directory and Community Calendar, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.

Referrals, Data, and Billing Management

• Maintain accurate documentation of client interactions, services provided, and outcomes.
• Collect data for grant reporting and program evaluation.
• Monitor service effectiveness and suggest improvements.
• Track billing and process invoices for clients and clinical partners in a timely, confidential manner.

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, public health, human services, or a related field.
• Mental Health First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Completion of Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training prior to start date.
• Candidates must pass a background check and submit fingerprints to the CA Department of Justice.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience in case management, care coordination, or community health navigation.
• Strong knowledge of local mental health and social service systems in Santa Barbara County.
• Familiarity with youth developmental issues and mental health needs.
• Experience working with diverse youth, young adults, and families.
• Bilingual in English & Spanish a plus

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to assess complex family situations and make appropriate referrals.
• Compassionate and active listening skills; able to build trust quickly.
• Understanding of ethical and legal issues in clinical and community-based service settings.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and practice effective self-care.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality, equity, and trauma-informed care.
• Proficiency with digital tools, including Google Workspace, Zoom, and data tracking systems.

Personal Qualities

• Dependable and self-directed - takes initiative, follows through, and meets deadlines.
• Collaborative and flexible, works well with diverse teams and adapts to changing needs.
• Solutions-oriented and emotionally mature - exercises good judgment, critical thinking, and discretion.
• Professional demeanor - approaches others with respect, maintains integrity, and upholds YouthWell values.
• Strong relationship-building skills, internally and with external community partners.

BENEFITS

• A health plan is available to employees who work 20+ hours/week after 1 month.
• A 403(b) Retirement Plan is available to both full-time and part-time employees.
• Vacation time, holiday pay, and sick days for employees who work 20+ hours/week after 3 months.

SALARY & HOURS

• Fill out the online application: https://youthwell.org/get-involved/ and include a resume and cover letter. Questions: Hiring@YouthWell.org
• $25-$35 Hour/DOE
• Status: 15-40 hrs week (part-time or full-time)
• The position is in-person in Santa Barbara and involves minimal driving.
• Position includes working occasional nights and weekends

*YouthWell, a project of Community Partners® is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.