The Family Peer Advocate is responsible for empowering families and assisting them in navigating and advocating in 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. This role requires "Lived Experience" and flexibility with working hours, including evenings, as determined by family needs that arise outside of regular service hours.
Requirements
- 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 of their children 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 family to identify gaps in services needed and assist in planning to eliminate gap.
- Develop treatment plan and safety plan with parent/caregiver 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).
Benefits
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Flexible Spending Account
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match
- Employee Assistance Plan
