Commission creates 'Resource Navigator' classification, abolishes Community Health Services Specialist I/II

Human Resources Manager Brandy Del told commissioners the proposed Resource Navigator classification is meant to better align an existing social-services job with the county's evolving service-delivery approach. "The resource navigator is designed as a professional paraprofessional classification focused on connecting individuals and families with community resources, public benefits and supportive services," Brandy Del said during the presentation.

Lily Caraval, a program administrator in Social Services who has supervised a CHSS position, said the main difference is scope: CHSS was created for a combined Health & Human Services agency and included home visits and public-health and behavioral-health work, while the Resource Navigator will concentrate on social-services screening, referrals and benefits enrollment. Commissioners asked who would absorb the public-health and mental-health duties; staff said earlier this year those responsibilities were moved into newly created Integrated Services Coordinator positions in public health and behavioral health.

After additional questions and brief technical difficulties with remote presenters, the commission moved, seconded and approved the new classification, reclassification of one incumbent, and the abolishment of the Community Health Services Specialist I and II classifications. There was no public comment on the item.