Family Peer Advocate

About the role

The Jewish Board is a leading provider of mental health and social services to over 45,000 New Yorkers annually. As a member of our dedicated team, you'll work in a supportive environment that values diversity and promotes career growth.

Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy with providers across the child-serving system to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
• Educate about self-help techniques and self-help group processes.
• Provide psychoeducation to family members, caregivers, or social supports.
• Develop and teach effective coping strategies based on personal experience and assist in the development of community support systems and networks.
• Support families, parents/caregivers in developing skills to effectively manage their child/youth behaviors and navigate the multiple systems involved.
• Identify formal services and informal resources for families that are culturally affirming and experiencing social-emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.
• Aid families in identifying challenges they face, their strengths, and areas of improvement/goals.
• Maintain professional behaviors and ethical standards as established by licensing boards, relevant professional associations, and the Jewish Board policies and procedures.
• Document demographic data on all individuals seen, document and track family's goals, and all services provided to parent/caregiver; participate in quality improvement activities.
• Perform services in the family’s home, youth’s home, community, office; perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalency.
• Certified Family Peer Advocate Certificate.
• Specialty credentialing in advocacy – obtainable during probationary period.
• Lived experience in parenting a child or adolescent with a serious emotional disturbance and/or lived experience of mental health challenges.
• Demonstrated qualities of leadership, including knowledge of advocacy, and ability to positively reflect on and share experiences with others.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Prior experience with electronic health records and Microsoft Office.
• Visual and manual dexterity to travel independently using public transportation.

Qualifications

• Passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families.
• Ability to work flexible hours, as required.
• Bilingual and bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Exceptional skill but not all qualifications are also encouraged to apply.
• Completed or currently completing the accreditation process to be a certified youth peer advocate.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of community resources and systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Benefits

• Generous vacation time, in addition to paid agency holidays and 15 sick days.
• Affordable and high-quality medical/dental/vision plans.
• Tuition assistance and educational loan forgiveness.
• Free continuing education opportunities.
• 403(b) retirement benefits and a pension.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and transportation.
• 24/7 Accessible Employee Assistance Program.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion working groups.

Pay

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Flexible schedule to accommodate client needs and program requirements.