Family Peer Advocate

Vanderheyden Hall•Troy, NY

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Family Peer Advocate provides an array of formal and informal activities and support to families caring for/ raising a child who is experiencing social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community. This is a full-time position that requires travel between locations in the Capital District/Troy area. Family Peer Support Services provides a structured, strength-based relationship between a Family Peer Advocate (FPA) and the parent/family member/caregiver for the benefit of the child/youth. Services are delivered in a trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner. The role involves engaging the family/child to begin the partnership and connection to service delivery, conducting a needs assessment to determine family/caregiver and child's strengths and needs during the intake process, and writing a treatment plan based on the assessment. The treatment plan includes components such as outreach and information, bridging and transition support, self-advocacy, self-efficacy and empowerment, parent skill development, and community connections and natural supports. The FPA will assist the family/caregiver in carrying out specific tasks outlined in the treatment plan, collaborate with collateral contacts on the family/caregiver's treatment team, and complete all required documentation of services and contact. Participation in regularly scheduled supervision and facilitation or co-facilitation of family peer groups are also key responsibilities. The position requires performing all reasonable, related duties assigned.

Requirements

Strong writing and communication skills.
Exceptional organizational skills and be highly detail-oriented.
NYS Driver's license with a clean MVR and access to reliable transportation.
Must demonstrate "lived experience" as a parent or primary caregiver who has navigated multiple child-serving systems on behalf of their child(ren)with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral health needs.
At a minimum, have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or a State Education Commencement Credential.
If not credentialed at the time of hire, the Family Peer Advocate will complete Level One and apply for Provisional Family Peer Advocate Credential within the first 3 months of employment.
The Family Peer Advocate will then complete Level Two and a 2-day face-to--face training of the Parent Empowerment Program Training for Family Peer Advocates and complete the phone conferences or approved comparable training and apply for the Family Peer Advocate Credential. This process will be completed within the first 6 months of Provisional Employment.
Agree to practice according to the Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics.
Family Peer Advocates will ensure to meet recertification requirements: Complete 20 hours of continuing education and renew the FPA credential every two years.
OR Family Peer Support will be delivered by a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) with a Family Specialty.
To be certified as CPRA-Family, the individual must be at least 18 years of age and have the following: Demonstrate lived experience as a primary caregiver of a youth who has participated in (or navigated) the addiction services system.
Provide outreach, advocacy and recovery support services for families seeking and sustaining recovery on behalf of a child or youth.
Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) preferred or a State Education Commencement Credential.
Complete a minimum of 46 hours of content-specific training, covering the topics: advocacy, mentoring/education, recovery/wellness support and ethical responsibility.
Document 500 hours of related work or volunteer experience
Provide evidence of at least 25 hours of supervision in a peer role.
Pass the NYCB/IC and RC Peer Advocate Exam or other exam by an OASAS-designated certifying body.
Demonstrate a minimum of 20 hours in the area of Family Support (combined online and classroom training)
Complete 10 hours of continuing education per year of certification, including 2 hours of Ethics
Must be available to work a flexible schedule to meet agency needs.
Must be 21 years of age.
Demonstrate "lived experience" as a primary caregiver of a youth who has participated in (or navigated) the addiction services system, systems relating to social/behavioral health needs.
Provide outreach, advocacy and recovery support services for families seeking and sustaining recovery on behalf of a child or youth.
Have a High School Diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) or a State Education Commencement Credential.
This educational requirement can be waived by the State if the person has demonstrated competencies and has relevant life experience sufficient for the peer credential.
Agree to practice according to Family Peer code of Ethics.

Nice To Haves

If not credentialed at the time of hire, the Family Peer Advocate will complete Level One and apply for Provisional Family Peer Advocate Credential within the first 3 months of employment.
The Family Peer Advocate will then complete Level Two and a 2-day face-to-face training of the Parent Empowerment Program Training for Family Peer Advocates and complete the phone conferences or approved comparable training and apply for the Family Peer Advocate Credential. This process will be completed within the first 6 months of Provisional Employment.
Family Peer Advocates will ensure to meet recertification requirements: Complete 20 hours of continuing education and renew the FPA credential every two years.
OR Family Peer Support will be delivered by a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) with a Family Specialty.
To be certified as CPRA-Family, the individual must be at least 18 years of age and have the following: Demonstrate lived experience as a primary caregiver of a youth who has participated in (or navigated) the addiction services system.
Provide outreach, advocacy and recovery support services for families seeking and sustaining recovery on behalf of a child or youth.
Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) preferred or a State Education Commencement Credential.
Complete a minimum of 46 hours of content-specific training, covering the topics: advocacy, mentoring/education, recovery/wellness support and ethical responsibility.
Document 500 hours of related work or volunteer experience
Provide evidence of at least 25 hours of supervision in a peer role.
Pass the NYCB/IC and RC Peer Advocate Exam or other exam by an OASAS-designated certifying body.
Demonstrate a minimum of 20 hours in the area of Family Support (combined online and classroom training)
Complete 10 hours of continuing education per year of certification, including 2 hours of Ethics

Responsibilities

Engage the family/child to begin the partnership and connection to service delivery.
Conduct family/caregiver a needs assessment to determine family/caregiver and child's strengths and needs during the intake process.
Write a treatment plan based on assessment, based on service components which include outreach and information, bridging and transition support; Self-advocacy, self-efficacy and empowerment; parent skill development; and community connections and natural supports.
Assist family/caregiver in carrying out specific tasks as outlined in the treatment plan.
Collaborate with any collateral contacts that are part of the family/caregiver's treatment team, including attending team meetings as requested.
Complete all required documentation of services and contact.
Participate in regularly scheduled supervision.
Facilitate family peer group if designated FPA to facilities; if not, act as co-facilitator as needed to lead the group.
Perform all reasonable, related duties assigned.