Parent Advocate

HEARTSHARE HUMAN SERVICES OF NEW YORK•New York, NY

1d•$23 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Heartshare St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS) is actively seeking Parent Advocate(s) with demonstrated experience supporting families and a comprehensive understanding of foster care processes and ACS mandates. The ideal candidate will bring both professional knowledge and lived experience to guide and empower parents, ensuring they are fully informed, supported, and engaged throughout the child welfare process.

Requirements

High school diploma/General Equivalency Diploma (GED) required.
Lived experience with ACS or Child Welfare System required.
Experience working with families.
Knowledge of Foster Care and ACS mandates.
Knowledge of CONNECTIONS preferred.
Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to travel within the 5 boroughs of NYC, Long Island, and Westchester.

Nice To Haves

Self-motivated with strong time management skills is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintains a tracking system of referrals and case assignments.
Provides assistance in facilitating training in topics including but not limited to the Parenting Journey.
Encourages parents' participation in Family Team Conferences (FTCS) providing reminders and other supports as warranted.
Represents Heartshare St. Vincents Services at internal and external meetings.
Celebrates birth parents by contributing to hosting events and activities.
Maintains accessible resource materials, making them available to other HSVS staff and to parents.
Documents efforts to engage parents via service plans.
Provides full disclosure and all required consents to birth parents.
Co-facilitates quarterly birth parent round table meetings.
Provides direct counseling, on-call assistance, intervention, negotiation and advocacy regarding birth families housing needs.
Develops and maintains a comprehensive list of available housing resources.
Collects required documentation, completes online applications and records data in all applicable Housing systems including the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Supportive Housing systems.
Delivers completed Housing application packets to the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS)
Accompanies parents to Housing court and to government assistance offices.
Maintains all reporting requirements set by funding and/or regulatory agencies.
Assist and accompany parents when shopping to purchase furniture for new apartments once children are final discharged from care
Attend all required training to ensure up to date information
Demonstrate passion for working with birth parents and at-risk teens in a child welfare setting
Strong belief in families' abilities to grow and change.
Works, both, independently and collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders.

Benefits

Rewarding Work in a team environment.
Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
Tuition Assistance Program.
Professional Development opportunities.
Wellhub Discount
Verizon Wireless Discount.
BJs Membership discount.
Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more