Description

The Family Peer Advocate provides advocacy, education and support to families and assist them in connecting to community resources and natural supports.

Major Responsibilities:

• Family Peer Advocates are parents who are raising or have raised a child with mental health concerns and are personally familiar with the associated challenges; F amily Peer Advocate s offer the integrity of their experience to the families they serve and are often able to connect with waiver families based on a unique understanding of their circumstances; F amily Peer Advocate s have first hand knowledge of the services and supports available in the community; F amily Peer Advocate s offer waiver families' activities designed to enhance the family unit, ultimately developing safe, stable, and supportive families who are connected to their communities

• F amily Peer Advocate s offer resources, including, but not limited to: education, advocacy and support; F amily Peer Advocate s offer information to families on community resources, assist families in connecting to community resources and natural supports, and advocate with the family to access supports, services and activities; F amily Peer Advocate s introduce and connect families to community activities which foster family cohesion; These activities, which may be cultural, educational or recreational, are individualized for each family based on their culture, needs, values and preferences and are consistent with the family's income to assure the possibility of continuing the activities post-Waiver

• F amily Peer Advocate s are also expected to facilitate family/parent support groups; family support group activities for parents (i.e., monthly meetings, game nights, annual picnics) are provided as a venue for engaging parents with similar experience as a way of assisting in building natural support systems in their communities

• F amily Peer Advocate s may work with an individual parent/guardian or a group of Waiver parents/guardians; advocates must be supervised by an individual who meets the criteria for a “qualified mental health staff person” * found in 14 NYCRR 594 or 14 NYCRR 595 and described below

• Meet with families in their homes

• Assist families to access supports, services and activities

• Facilitate family/parent support groups

• Models and practices sensitivity, fair treatment and acceptance of diversity in all interpersonal interactions

• Participates and contributes to program Quality Improvement process

• Must maintain and submit all of the required documents and comply with all aspects of the Vehicle Safety and Usage Policy

• Maintain positive working relationships with program staff and others within the agency. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills during interactions with internal and external customers

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be a parent or caregiver of a child with a history of emotional or behavioral problems (parent or caregiver is defined as a parent, foster parent or other family member with direct responsibility for the care of a child with a diagnosis of emotional disturbance); OMH Parent/Family Advisors at the OMH Regional Offices assist in recruitment of qualified family support workers)

• Must be a credentialed as Family Peer Advocate

• Must be available evening and weekends

• Have some high school education (a high school diploma or G.E.D. is preferred)

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Have experience working with children (preference given to those with experience working with children with special needs)

• New York State Driver’s License that meets agency policy

• Must have reliable means of transportation to travel throughout Western New York area

Competitive hourly pay rate of $18 to $19 depending on experience.

C+FS offers full-time employees the below benefits to support our employees and their families and help to create a healthy work environment.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) –20 PTO Days (25 Days After Five Years of Employment)–14 Paid Holidays (includes 2 flex holidays)– Bereavement: Four Paid Days– Paid Jury Duty

• Employer Paid Life Insurance

• Medical, Two Plan Options

• Dental, Two Plan Options

• Vision Insurance

• Wellness Program and Incentives

• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Quarterly Employer-Contributions

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Dependent Care FSA

• Employee Referral Bonus

• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

• 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions After Two Years (1000 hours each year)

Diversity Statement:

Within our agency and in the communities that we serve, C+FS is committed to diversity and inclusion with race equity at the center. Every day we work to promote safety, health, and wellness. We will not stop until Black, indigenous and people of color are free from racism and experience peace, prosperity and well-being.

Child and Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Child and Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child and Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)