Peer Family Advocate in Queens, New York at Families on the Move of NYC Inc

Are you a parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a child or young adult who has experienced mental health, behavioral health, social-emotional, or substance use challenges?

Has your child struggled in school or required behavioral health services?

Have you ever needed help navigating the mental health, education, child welfare, or other service systems and did not know where to turn?

Have you had to seek emergency or hospital-based care for your child because of their behaviors or mental health needs?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your lived experience may help another family.

Families On The Move of New York City, Inc. (FOTM) is seeking a passionate, compassionate, and engaging individual to join our peer advocacy team.

The Peer Family Advocate (PFA) provides education, support, advocacy, information, and referrals to families who have a child, adolescent, or young adult living with or at risk of behavioral health, mental health, and/or substance use challenges.

We are seeking a full-time Peer Family Advocate for our Queens campus, located at:

7403 Commonwealth Boulevard
Bellerose, NY

The successful candidate should be a parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a child, adolescent, or young adult who has accessed services related to behavioral health, mental health, and/or substance use challenges. The ability to draw upon personal experience while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries is an essential component of this position.

• Provide support, education, information, and referrals to parents, caregivers, and families.
• Connect families with appropriate community-based agencies, providers, programs, and resources.
• Assist families in navigating the education, behavioral health, substance use, juvenile justice, and child welfare systems.
• Provide families with information, tools, and skills to help them effectively advocate for their children.
• Work collaboratively with caregivers to identify needs, establish goals, and develop individualized plans of care that support the well-being of the child and family.
• Meet with families in their homes, in the community, and at designated program locations, as appropriate.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of all services and activities in the AWARDS Electronic Health Record (EHR), including plans of care, progress notes, and family needs assessments.
• Establish and maintain meaningful relationships with parents, caregivers, youth, staff, and partner-agency personnel.
• Peer engagement is a core responsibility of this position and comprises approximately 90% of the Peer Family Advocate's role. The PFA must demonstrate the ability to build trust, establish rapport, and effectively engage families and caregivers.
• Complete all required training and credentialing within one year of the initial hire date, if not previously completed, including:
  • Family Peer Advocate Credential
  • PEP Training
  • FDC Training and examination
  • OMH New Employee Training
  • Safety in the Community Training
  • FOTM Just the Basics Advocates' Training
  • AWARDS EHR Training
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Peer Recovery Coach Training
  • Any additional training required by FOTM, its funders, or regulatory authorities
• Complete required documentation accurately and promptly.
• Maintain flexibility to meet the needs of families and the program.
• Travel between program sites and within the community as required.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary and partner-agency team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The following experience, skills, credentials, and qualifications are required or preferred for this position:

• Lived experience as a parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a child, adolescent, or young adult who has experienced mental health, behavioral health, and/or substance use challenges and has accessed related services.
• Ability to successfully complete all required clearances, including the Staff Exclusion List (SEL), Statewide Central Register (SCR), and Justice Center Criminal Background Check (CBC).
• Broad knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, the mental health and behavioral health systems.
• Strong networking and community-resource development skills.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, empathy, and a supportive approach to the needs of children, families, and caregivers.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal, engagement, and coaching skills.
• Ability to travel between program sites/campuses using public transportation.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make independent decisions within the scope of the position.
• Team-oriented attitude and positive, professional demeanor.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and OneDrive, is preferred.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Authorized to work in the United States and able to provide appropriate employment authorization documentation and a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Ability to work independently and autonomously with minimal direct supervision.

FOTM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. Candidates who speak more than one language are also encouraged to apply.

Due to the nature of FOTM's work within the New York City Children's Centers, employees may be subject to applicable health and safety requirements established by the Office of Mental Health (OMH), the New York City Children's Centers, and/or other applicable authorities.

The Peer Family Advocate reports to the Program Coordinator or designee, as assigned.

Position Status: Non-Exempt
Employment Status: At-Will