Birth Parent Advocate

ABBOTT HOUSE • New York, NY

1d • $37,000 - $40,000

About The Position

The Parent Advocate is responsible for the coordination of services between the birth parent of a child in care and the caseworker. To be qualified for the position of Parent Advocate, you must be able to perform the essential job functions described below, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment of in the way things are usually done that result in equal employment opportunity for an individual with a disability and does not create an undue hardship for the Facility.

Requirements

• High school diploma
• Have previous experience with a child welfare case
• Must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programs
• Required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.
• Needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English language
• Must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• May frequently lift 0-25 lbs., occasionally lift 25-50 lbs., and rarely lift over 50 lbs.
• May frequently push/pull 0-25 lbs. of force, occasionally push/pull 26-45 lbs. force, and rarely push/pull over 45 lbs.
• Will be required to sit, stand and walk throughout the work day.
• May occasionally stoop. This is defined as bending body downward by bending spine at the waist.
• The Birth/Parent Advocate may occasionally kneel. This is defined as bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s).
• May occasionally crouch. This is defined as bending body downward and forward by bending spine and legs.

Responsibilities

• Assist the caseworker with engaging the adult parent whose child is now in foster care and who, due to their own hostility, is refusing to plan with the agency for the return of that child.
• Engage and assist the parent in applying for appropriate treatment programs including parenting skills trainings, substance abuse courses, and domestic violence management trainings.
• Completion of thorough progress notes documenting his/her efforts in assisting the parent and making those entries in the Connections system within the mandated 15-day time frames as required by law.
• Supervise parent and child visits to ensure the safety of the families in which we service.
• Assist the case planners with foster home visits and birth family home visits.
• Assist the case planner with court hearings
• Any other related duties as required

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED