| Purpose of the Position: |
The Regional Autism Network Family Navigator (RAN) will serve as a regional subject-matter expert and specialized Family Navigator for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing high-acuity navigation, systems coordination, and evidence-based guidance to individuals and families as they coordinate and navigate complex healthcare, educational, developmental, and community service systems. The position identifies and addresses systemic barriers and resource gaps, develops individualized pathways to diagnostic, therapeutic, and support services, and strengthens regional service capacity through strategic partnerships, data analysis, research, public education, and professional training. The position also supports organizational excellence by maintaining accurate program data and records, developing and implementing standardized navigation practices, mentoring staff and partners, and translating emerging ASD research, program data, and regulatory requirements into accessible resources and actionable guidance for families, service providers, and community stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities Include
Advanced System Navigation and Consultation
• Serve as a regional Subject Matter Expert (SME) on systemic navigation,
clinical/educational frameworks, and evidence-based practices for Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Manage programming and coordination, and provide high-acuity navigation services, assessing complex family needs, empowering families through specialized multi-system supports and complex insurance structures in all languages, utilizing interpreter services as needed.
• Serve as an expert wayfinder for families encountering system gaps,
deploying advanced problem-solving methodologies to architect
custom diagnostic, therapeutic, and intervention pipelines when
standard solutions do not exist.
• Coordinate and engage in targeted family consultations to complete essential program paperwork, benefit applications, and service requests,
streamlining access to regional resources.
• Record and maintain records of consultations, technical assistance,
direct assistance, and education provided to the public.
• Oversee client record-keeping and data integrity within the regional
and state tracking systems, ensuring compliance with HIPAA,
confidentiality, and grant guidelines.
Strategic Research Data Architecture & Resource Discovery
• Lead system mapping and data analytics to identify, track, and bridge
systemic resource gaps regionally.
• Lead the development, maintenance, indexing, and sharing of
community supports and services for autism in a comprehensive
database for the region. Integrate existing and emerging private,
public, and non-profit services.
• Collaborate and consult with agencies conducting needs assessments
to capture relevant data. Analyze results and compile metrics to share
with regional stakeholders and leaders.
• Analyze program data and participant outcomes to generate narrative
and statistical reports for leadership and stakeholders at local,
regional, and state levels.
Stakeholder Networking, Cross-Sector Integration and Ecosystem Alignment
• Build regional capacity by cultivating relationships and strategic partnerships
with civic, academic, and community leaders, including private, public, and
non-profit sectors to streamline support, services, and systemic alignment.
• Develop strategic community infrastructure and partnerships to close
gaps and reduce wait times for regional diagnostic and therapeutic
services.
• Represent the organization as a technical expert and thought leader at
high-profile public-facing events, community coalitions, and regional
task forces.
Public Training and Education
Elevate public autism literacy through technical guidance and instruction.
• Serve as an expert panelist, industry speaker, and educational lead at
local, regional, and state ASD conferences.
• Manage, coordinate, and work closely in tandem with regional and statewide RAN colleagues to
develop, facilitate, and deliver specialized training workshops, public
education seminars, and evidence-based curriculum for family
caregivers and community partners—translating current program data,
ASD research, compliance laws, and best practices to elevate
professional standards and scale regional service capacity.
• Coordinate monthly participation in vendor events/expos in the region
and state to build brand awareness, educate the public, disseminate
specialized ASD resources, and engage directly with regional
stakeholders representing RAN regionally and statewide.
• Produce regional newsletters to translate complex healthcare,
educational, and developmental systems data into accessible
guidance, disseminating expert insights and regional resource updates
across the regional autism network.
• Maintain a listserv of email addresses subscribed to the newsletter.
Organizational Development, Cross-Functional Integration& Mentorship
• Foster internal operational excellence, workforce growth, and
cross-departmental alignment.
• Onboard, train, and provide technical guidance to staff, Constituency
Board Members, specialized volunteers, and RAN colleagues
throughout the state.
• Update, design, coordinate and execute standard operating procedures for Family
Navigation to align regional and statewide teams while ensuring client
feedback data directly informs programmatic growth.
• Strategically connect students and emerging or experienced
professionals with key service providers, coordinate and bridging workforce gaps to
expand regional capacity and enhance service availability for
individuals with autism.
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