Family Advocate - LINK - Meridian, MS

About the Organization

Founded in 1912 as an adoption agency, Canopy Children's Solutions is Mississippi’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children’s behavioral health, educational, and family support solutions. Canopy employs a diverse group of mission-driven individuals committed to honoring the voice of Mississippi children and families. Core values that drive the organization forward include:

• The voice of our children and families always comes first
• Relationships matter and our differences make us stronger
• We take great joy in service to others
• Our families and our communities deserve our very best

Canopy has been recognized as a Great Place to Work® for the fifth consecutive year and is one of only nine companies in Mississippi to earn this certification for 2025–2026. Employees foster a healthy workplace culture built on trust and driven by a shared mission: helping children thrive and empowering families to overcome extraordinary challenges.

About the Role

Serve as the primary point of contact between families, community partners, and state agencies. Follow the established family map to link families to services, provide education and psychoeducation, deliver community education, and engage in networking/marketing to strengthen families and keep kids in a stable home. Support families' emotional well-being with empathy and personal experiences of overcoming challenges to instill hope. Utilize evidence-based practices tailored to individual children and families, connecting them within their communities and tracking their progress while adhering to Canopy's trauma-informed culture.

Responsibilities

• Advocate, represent, support, and assist youth and their families.
• Assist in creating and sustaining a family-driven approach.
• Provide families with information, advocacy skills, and related activities.
• Deliver psycho-education for families as needed.
• Assist families in crisis with appropriate referrals and supports.
• Help families resolve complaints and concerns about Canopy Children's Solutions system of care.
• Represent families at team meetings and related activities.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with professional partners.
• Maintain and promote a high level of cultural competency.
• Meet regularly with program staff and coordinate job responsibilities with supervisor.
• Carry out administrative duties, including:
  • Maintain a regular and predictable weekly work schedule, including irregular hours when needed to meet with families.
  • Attend organization general orientation and required employee trainings, including Risking Connection, Department of Mental Health trainings, and other approved conferences, workshops, or trainings.
  • Participate in and assist with quality assurance studies and program improvement activities.
  • Network and market in the community for families and the Link Program.
  • Document all services within a 48-hour timeframe.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Ability to articulate concepts clearly to families to help strengthen themselves and other family members.
• Ability to listen to and problem-solve with families individually or in a group setting.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Experience in diverse communication styles and the ability to work with teams.
• Familiarity with MDHS, TANF, and other state services and how to navigate these entities, either through direct experience and/or work in the field.