NEDA Navigator Guidebook
Not for public distribution. For exclusive use by official NEDA Navigators
NEDA Navigators Program Description
The problem that has long existed for families and individuals affected by eating disorders is
the difficulty of finding and making personal, non-professional connections with others for
support and resources at the onset of the disorder. The NEDA Navigators (NN) are Parent,
Family & Friend Network (PFN) members who have firsthand experience with eating
disorders. They are well into their own or their loved one’s recovery and will volunteer to
personally connect with those new to these diseases. NN’s will be trained to: (a) respond to
families’ and individuals’ initial questions regarding insurance issues and treatment options,
(b) share their own story responsibly, (c) help them connect to resources and (d) build an
ongoing relationship of support, if desired by both parties.
Goals 1. NN will receive expert training to be able to responsibly reach out to families new to
eating disorders and offer informal support.
2. NN will also reach out to medical professionals, educators and other relevant contacts in
their communities with information about the program. These professionals are encouraged
to introduce families to a local NN who will connect families to the professional help,
information, support, and up-to-date resources they need.
3. NN will share their own story of recovery (or loved one’s recovery) in a responsible way to
provide insight, strategies for self-care, encouragement, and hope.
Eating disorders expert, Doug Bunnell, PhD, VP of the Renfrew Center Foundation and a
founding member of NEDA, and Ilene Fishman, LCSW, also a founding member of NEDA, will
provide technical expertise and training via teleconferences for NNs.
NNs will agree to be trained before reaching out to families. Each NN will commit to a 2
hour initial training, and ongoing monthly training (1 hour) – either by attending the webinar
or by viewing the recording - led by program Clinical Advisors. It is also required that each
Navigator commit to initial community outreach, and a minimum of 1 hour per week to
check their PFN email account to receive program updates and respond to new messages
from contacts. It will be up to each Navigator to determine how much time they will be able
give to this program beyond the minimum requirement while maintaining the recovery and
health of their own family members. They may remain a NN member upon annual renewal
of training and agreement to adhere to program guidelines. They must also be willing to
sign a NEDA Navigator and Confidentiality Agreement.
NEDA Program Director, Susie Roman, will support the NN program with NEDA’s resources:
staff time, website, print material, and email support. Additional staff contacts:
Diana Kalogridis, Program Coordinator, dkalogridis@myneda.org
Yasemin Merwede, Program Assistant, ymerwede@myneda.org
Program 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.
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