Family Partner

Access Supports•Newburgh, NY

About The Position

The Family Partner provides formal and informal services and supports to families raising a child experiencing social, emotional, developmental, or behavioral challenges at home, school, or in the community. The role draws on the Family Partner’s lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a child with mental health challenges and firsthand knowledge of community services and supports. The Family Partner supports caregivers through education, coaching, modeling, guidance, advocacy, and help connecting with community resources, treatment providers, peer support, and self-help groups. The role works with families and provider teams to strengthen collaboration, communication, caregiving skills, and families’ ability to make informed decisions and advocate for their children with increasing independence. The position is based in Newburgh, New York, and requires working two days from the Department of Mental Health in Goshen, New York. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with flexibility, for 40 hours per week. Pay is $26.00 per hour.

Requirements

Be a parent or primary caregiver of a child with a diagnosed history of emotional or behavioral health disorders.
Have firsthand experience raising or having raised a child with mental health challenges.
Have a valid driver’s license.
Have dependable transportation.
Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or State Education Commencement Credential.
Be able to complete Mandated Reporting self-directed online training.
Have experience working with children.
Be able to complete the Individualized Care Model.
Be able to complete and obtain PEP Certification within 60 days of hire.
Complete Safety in the Home Community training.
Complete OMH online Foundations training.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children with special needs is preferred.

Responsibilities

Engage parents or caregivers in home and community activities designed to address goals in a waiver participant’s service plan.
Educate, support, coach, model, and guide caregivers in meeting their child’s needs.
Teach caregivers how to connect with community resources and treatment providers.
Teach caregivers how to advocate for services and resources that meet their child’s needs.
Guide and support caregivers in connecting with individual, peer/parent support, and self-help groups.
Provide information about community resources and help families connect with resources and natural supports.
Strengthen and support families’ caregiving efforts, including around emotional and physical health, parenting, and family interaction.
Help families make informed choices about supports for themselves and their child by explaining available services and how to access them.
Develop families’ capacity to participate actively in decisions about services and supports.
Develop families’ capacity to improve their child’s and family’s overall health and well-being.
Work with families and provider teams to promote effective collaboration and communication.
Build families’ skills and self-efficacy so they can advocate for their child and work collaboratively with service providers with increasing independence.
Advocate alongside families to access supports, services, and activities.