Career Pathways Navigators
The Career Pathways Navigators (CPNs) partner with Case Managers to support youth in pursuing their academic and career development goals. The CPN in each county works with youth to provide connections to educational, career, and basic needs resources within that county. They also provide guidance on navigating the challenges FLY youth face within the education system.
How Youth Benefit
CPNs strive to serve as an additional asset to FLY’s case management programs. While programs provide case management, coaching, and mentoring, CPNs can be utilized as career and education resources to promote access to career opportunities, educational resources, and other self-sufficiency tools through specific coaching, referrals, and connections.
CPNs apply a Design Thinking in Career Coaching approach, in which youth are acknowledged as experts in their own lives. The approach also encompasses Motivational Interviewing techniques, Strengths-Based approaches, and Trauma-Informed approaches, with particular awareness of Educational Trauma. CPNs are meant to be coaches, not teachers, and coaching is approached from an orientation of holistic discovery rather than solving or fixing. CPNs meet youth where they are at and provide individualized perspective and support. Part of this work will include supporting youth to gain access to the resources, tools, and technology they need to pursue their educational and career goals.
How to Make a Referral
Referrals are made from FLY staff. This is an additional support available to all youth in case management programs with educational outcomes (Middle School, Leadership, Reentry, and STAY FLY).
Contacts for More Information
- Alondra Tejeda (Alameda County CPN)
- Brianna Ramos (San Mateo County CPN)
- Freddy Salto (Santa Clara County CPN)
- Kate Hiester (San Mateo County Director and coordinator of cross-county CPN services)
“The FLY group is not just there to give us lectures…They really do care so they help us choose our paths, they help us choose anything of our interests, and they really want us to pursue and be successful.”
— Arturo P. (Hayward Community School Youth, AC Law Program)
