About the Role

Parent Advocates support parents with children in foster care to understand and navigate the foster care system, make decisions for their families, remain hopeful, and address family challenges so that they can accomplish their goal of reunification. The focus of this job is building connections with parents and working collaboratively with case planners. Parent Advocates parents will bring their experience to the foster care agency decision-making process so that children are more likely to return home quickly and safely.

What You’ll Do

• Build rapport and support parents in coping with the trauma of child welfare/protective system involvement, making decisions for their families, and communicating effectively with those involved in their case.· Work with socially, economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse groups in a mutual respectful manner using a strength base and flexible approach.
• Prepare parents and participate in Family Team Conferences.
• Emphasize with parents the importance of involvement in planning, preparing for court dates, voicing concerns, and requesting help when needed.
• Collaborate with individuals in crisis to identify and or develop coping skills.
• Report to the Advocate Supervisor and work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with ACS field offices staff and multiple community-based service providers.
• Collaborate with other providers and community support to help families meet their needs and navigate resources.
• Coach parents to strengthen problem-solving skills while discovering their strengths, hopes, dreams, and priorities.
• Actively participate in team meetings, and supervisory sessions, including daily scheduling check-ins.
• Maintain accurate job related/required reports and documentation and submit on a timely basis.
• Complete assigned training as required.
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Your Qualifications

Person with similar life experiences is encouraged to apply with matching qualifications matching below.

• High School Diploma/ GED required.
• Bachelor's; Associate's, in human Services/ Social Work or related field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of community resources and services.
• Warm, enthusiastic, and able to engage and positively impact individuals.
• Someone who has a sincere appreciation for people and how they are each uniquely motivated.
• Strong interpersonal skills to assist with parent engagement and are geared towards working sensitively on topics involving trauma, stress, and healing.
• Good oral and writing skills.
• Computer skills conducting Google searches and using Microsoft Office.
• Skilled at working in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects occurring simultaneously.
• Passion for parent leadership and preventing child welfare/juvenile justice involvement.
• Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to travel throughout NYC.
• Able to uphold the mission and values of Rising Ground.

Supervisory Responsibility: No

Work Environment: Field/ On-site (Some meetings are held in at Residential facilities throughout Brooklyn and Queens)

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Up to 15 hours per week- Flexible schedule to meet the needs of Parents.

Additional Requirements:

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
• Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.