Bilingual Parent Advocate

New Alternatives for Children•New York, NY

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

New Alternatives for Children, Inc. (NAC), an award-winning nonprofit serving children and families with medical complexities, chronic illnesses, and disabilities throughout New York City's five boroughs, is seeking a Bilingual Parent Advocate for its Foster Care Program. The role helps ensure birth parents have a voice in matters concerning their children in foster care and can navigate the foster care system effectively. The Parent Advocate collaborates with Foster Care staff on issues related to birth parents and provides direct support, including home and community visits. The position is full-time, with hybrid flexibility. Community visits may require evening work with clients who need to be seen after 5 PM. The role is based at 825 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019, and reports to the Foster Care Unit Supervisor. Salary is $41,000–$43,000 per year.

Requirements

Be a parent who has experienced a child welfare investigation that threatened or resulted in the removal of their child from their care.
Have at least 1 year of professional work experience.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent at minimum.
Have basic computer skills.
Have good communication skills and strong engagement and interpersonal skills, including sensitivity to cultural strengths and differences.
Be trained by RISE and remain engaged with RISE, creating an ongoing network of support.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in Spanish and English.
Experience parenting a child with complex medical, developmental, or behavioral needs.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with foster care staff on issues related to successful engagement of birth parents.
Provide direct support to birth parents, including conducting home and community visits.
Prepare parents for and participate in Family Team Conferences.
Help parents use community services, communicate effectively about their foster care cases, and meet service plan goals.
Inform parents of their rights, educate them, and advocate for them in family court.
Help parents remain connected to their children during foster care placement, including supporting family time.
Support the “Parent to Parent” concept and educate foster parents about issues and feelings common to parents whose children are in foster care.
Represent the agency at Community Partner Initiative meetings.
Attend NAC, ACS, and RISE training sessions as appropriate.
Perform other assigned job duties.