Culminating Project: Navigation Services and Resources at Workforce Snohomish

By Sladjana Nikolic

Navigator- Definition

▪ The act, activity, or process of finding the way to get to a place when you are traveling in a ship, airplane, car, etc. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, n.d.)

▪ Navigator in Human Services Field is a new title and concept where it means “ connector, a helper who assists clients in finding ways to navigate services and resources available”

▪ Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Definition of navigation by Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navigation

Employment Navigator- Definition▪ Employment Navigator is a helper who assists clients with all aspects

of employment and job search

▪ Employment Navigator can work in any environment: Education (Community Colleges), Housing ( working with homeless populations), Within Worksource Centers (working with special populations such as youth, ex-offenders, individuals with disabilities, homeless and at risk of becoming homeless, TANF recipients, etc )

▪ Employment Navigators usually do not have a stationary office, the office could be anywhere- at a local community college, local Starbucks, local Court House, local DSHS office, any WorkSource location- three available in Snohomish County)

▪ Employment Navigator has access to all State Employment Databases and undergo intensive trainings

Employment Services▪ One on one assistance: Resume writing, resume critique, cover letters,

interviewing, mock interviewing, employment applications, job leads, job placement, Employment Readiness Scale (ERS) self assessment,

▪ Workshops: Resume Overview, Cover Letter overview, Networking, LinkedIn Overview, Social Media Overview, Soft Skills (Accountability, Reliability, Employability), Dependable Strengths, Interviewing, Job Search- where to look and how to look,

▪ Employer development: Employer outreach, Job Placement, On-The-Job training (OJT), Work Experience (WEX),

▪ Job Fairs, Employer Panels, Hiring Events,

▪ Connects jobs seekers with local employers

Employment Resources in Snohomish County▪ WorkSource Office:

Free access to resource room- able to utilize computers, printer, copier, fax, job leads, attend targeted workshops, assistance with unemployment,

Specialized programs: For low income individuals, Dislocated Workers (laid off individuals ), Long Term unemployed, Individuals with criminal records, Individuals with Disabilities on SSI or SSDI, Youth (15- 24 years old), Veterans, Individuals on public assistance

Apprenticeship opportunities ( training and paid trade employment combined)

Education Navigator▪ Education Navigator is a helper who assists students reach their goals

and successfully complete their educational programs

▪ Education Navigator works primarily in a community college environment and works only with students in particular programs (grants)

▪ Education Navigator is employed by Workforce Snohomish but acts as an integrated team member with college staff and has access to almost all databases and resources offered to college staff in order to serve students better

▪ Education Navigator usually has it’s own office on campus where she/he works with students and offers safe, private, and confidential space.

Education Services▪ Assist students with college enrollment, orientation, and registration

▪ Assistance with applying for Free Assistance for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Financial Aid Scholarships

▪ Connect and Guide Students with Center for Disabilities

▪ Advise students about program choices, program requirements, and program opportunities

▪ Help students with a cost of textbooks, school supplies, and tools

▪ Connect students with scholarship opportunities ( college offered scholarships and foundation grants, multiple external grants)

▪ Connect students with WorkFirst Program and assures students meet their requirements

▪ Act as an mediator if issues arise between a student and an instructor, between students, and a student and another entity

Education Resources in Snohomish County▪ FAFSA (Free Application for

Federal Student Aid)

▪ Worker Retraining

▪ WorkFirst

▪ Opportunity Grant

▪ BFET (Basic Food Employment and Training

▪ Veterans Benefits

▪ Trade Adjustment Assistance

▪ Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

▪ Grant Funded Training

▪ Scholarships

▪ Payment Plans

▪ Student Loans

Community Navigator▪ Community Navigator is a helper who assists clients with community resources and various

systems within a community.

▪ Community Navigator works with clients and their families- holistic approach

▪ Community Navigator can work in any environment: Education (Community Colleges), Housing ( working with homeless populations), Within Worksource Centers (working with special populations such as youth, ex-offenders, individuals with disabilities, homeless and at risk of becoming homeless, TANF recipients, etc )

▪ Community navigator works with assigned clients and helps them overcome barriers outside of employment or education environment and connects them with various community resources

▪ Community Navigator acts as a liaison between multiple systems and makes sure clients fulfill all their requirements ( for instance if on TANF- needs meet DSHS and WorkFirst requirement, if on SNAP- needs to meet Basic Food Employment and Training, if on Unemployment- needs to meet their requires, if in a low income housing- needs to meet HUD requirements, etc)

▪ Community Navigator has access to local, regional, and state community databases and is knowledgeable and experienced working with various community partners and agencies.

Community Services▪ Connects with Low income housing

▪ Connects with Childcare services

▪ Connects with Education and Training Opportunities- long term and short term for adults

▪ Connects with children’s schools and behavior intervention services

▪ Connects with

▪ Connects with

Community Resources in Snohomish County▪ Community Colleges: Edmonds CC, Everett CC, Shoreline CC, Cascadia CCC

▪ Private School- short term training: CAN, Flagging, Forklift training, Childcare training, HIV training, CPR and First Aid, Everett Mission, Interfaith Shelter, etc

▪ Housing: Housing Hope, Catholic Community Services, Volunteers of America, YWCA, etc

▪ Services within low income housing: Rapid Rehousing, Homeless prevention, 3 day pay or vacate, coordinated entry, homeless shelters etc

▪ Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS): TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), SNAP (AKA Food Stamps),

▪ Diversion Cash Assistance (not required to be on TANF) must qualify, within 30 days of being approved must find work or other viable income source (financial aid considered) = $1,200

▪ AREN - $750 – one time in a lifetime support for rent, damage deposit or other housing related costs (PUD, utilities).

▪ Energy Assistance- PUD, Snohomish County,

▪ Working Connections Childcare

▪ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

▪ Veteran Resources

▪ Food Banks and food assistance

Navigators and Grants at Workforce Snohomish

▪ Each Navigator performs unique duties in a unique environment. Some Navigators are specifically employment navigator, some specifically education navigators, and some specifically community navigators. However, most Navigators perform duties as a combination of two and sometimes three types of Navigation.

▪ Workforce Snohomish Navigators are located in multiple locations within the county and they collaborate and partnership with community partners and agencies on daily basis

▪ Currently, Workforce Snohomish works in six (6) grants and employs nine (9) navigators.

Thank youBy Sladjana Nikolic