Family Peer Advocate I or II - Cortland County

Hillside Childrens Center•Cortland, NY

84d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Family Peer Advocate is responsible for empowering families and assisting them in navigating and advocating within multiple child-serving systems. This individual will support parents as they develop positive approaches and methods to meet the needs of youth and their families, including their own self-care needs. This role requires "Lived Experience". The Family Peer Advocate II additionally serves as a resource to guide team performance, leads/conducts training, and mentors Family Peer Advocate I staff.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum of 1 year of "lived experience" required based on program and funder requirements.
NYS Office of Mental Health requirement: A parent/caregiver of a child with social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges; experience in navigating child serving systems to obtain services and resources for their child/family.
OR Personal "lived experience" as a person with social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, or has received services in juvenile justice, foster care, special education, or addiction recovery.
Family Peer Advocate II: Minimum 18 months of related work experience required.
Must obtain appropriate credential required for the program within 6 months of hire.
Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for a minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.
Ability to act as an adult role model for children/youth/families in all behaviors including communication, hygiene, and appearance, management of self, response to stress/challenges, and in the demonstration of positive relationships with others.
Ability to engage children/youth/families in trust-based, productive relationships in order to help children/youth and families prepare for transitions, interact in the community, and promote respect and independence.
Ability to recognize and address, often through referral, problems related to substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect.
Ability to act as an advocate for children/youth/families in order to achieve the best possible children/youth/family outcomes; communicates reasonable expectations and facilitates the achievement of results.
Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to cultural and social variations and shows respect for individual differences.
Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, an ability to identify and access community programs and resources as needed, and an understanding of public assistance access and eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Hillside Professional Competencies: Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships, and Optimizes Decision Making.

Responsibilities

Provide informational and educational support on system navigation, advocacy, and rights to empower families to become active participants in their child’s services.
Make referrals and linkages to needed services and resources and assist with access.
Support the efforts of families in caring for and strengthening their children’s mental, and physical health, development, and well-being by assisting the family learn and practice strategies to support their child’s positive behavior.
Facilitate parent training and education to increase knowledge and skills while providing opportunities for networking with other families and creating natural supports.
Form and maintain relationships using effective communication and collaboration, acting as a bridge between family and providers.
Administer assessments and help families identify gaps in services needed and assist in planning to eliminate gaps.
Develop treatment plans and safety plans with parents/caregivers, supporting the family’s own identified goals.
Promote effective family-driven practice.
Attend and/or facilitate meetings to promote family voice and infuse a family perspective at all levels: individual provider, agency, local planning, state and national policy making.
Maintain all necessary records, forms, notifications, authorizations, reports, and summaries in client files to ensure compliance with all Federal, State, Funder, Medicaid Managed Care, and Hillside standards.
Obtain and maintain credential/certification based on advocate’s role and funder requirements.
Participate in agency and team meetings, in-service trainings, and team building activities as well as volunteer and serve on agency and community committees as needed.
Serve as a resource to guide team performance (Family Peer Advocate II only).
Lead/conduct Family Peer Advocate staff training and manage projects, as directed (Family Peer Advocate II only).
Mentor Family Peer Advocate I staff (Family Peer Advocate II only).