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