Get Adobe Flash player
NEDA Navigator Guidebook Not for public distribution. For exclusive use by official NEDA Navigators NEDA Navigator Volunteer Job Description NEDA Navigators (NN) are trained volunteer members of the Parent, Family & Friends Network (PFN) who connect locally to families and friends of those with eating disorders in their communities. NNs are supported with ongoing training by program Clinical Advisors and NEDA founders, Doug Bunnell, PhD and Ilene Fishman, LCSW, and NEDA staff. Navigators provide support by: 1. Helping contacts find local resources, treatment options and support groups 2. Directing contacts to helpful websites, books, articles, NEDA resources, etc. 3. Sharing their personal stories responsibly to provide insight, strategies for self- care and hope for recovery 4. Encouraging contacts to keep supporting their loved one (or the contact) to seek professional help 5. Being a listening ear as contacts are going through what can be a difficult journey 6. Helping navigate insurance issues for treatment coverage 7. Providing a listing of organizations that offer treatment scholarships and research studies that offer free treatment 8. Decreasing feelings of isolation for those who do not know anyone that has dealt with an eating disorder *Navigators are not treatment professionals and do not provide mental health services. They provide informal, personal support through a difficult journey, and direct individuals and families to the professional help they need. NEDA Navigators will: 1. Agree to receive a minimum of 2 hours of training from a NEDA staff and Clinical Advisors designated by NEDA 2. Sign an official agreement acknowledging that they keep all information and interactions confidential and a disclaimer that NEDA is not responsible for their personal communication with contacts. Documents that must be signed and returned to NEDA: Navigator Volunteer Job Description ▪ Page 1 ©2012 National Eating Disorders Association. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or other use of this outline without the express written consent of the National Eating Disorders Association is prohibited. 5