Family Peer Advocate

Company Overview

Public Health Solutions is a nonprofit organization that develops, implements and advocates dynamic solutions to prevent disease and improve community health. We conduct comprehensive research providing insight on public health issues, create and manage community health programs, and provide services to organizations to address public health challenges. Programs of Public Health Solutions address critical public health needs such as maternal and child health, nutrition, access to health insurance, HIV prevention and care, and smoking cessation. For government agencies, nonprofit organizations and others, Public Health Solutions provides services to enable them to enhance their effectiveness and strengthen their capacity to have an impact and efficiently manage funds.

Family and Youth Peer Support Services (FYPS) Program Description

The Department of Health FYPS Alliances are a network of providers funded through the DOHMH to offer FYPS services throughout New York City; there is one Alliance per borough which consists of two or more providers. Family and Youth Peer Support (FYPS) Services support and empower parents/caregivers of children and youth (birth – age 24) who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and the children and youth themselves. The FYPS “Alliance” model is a service model in which services are well-coordinated within and among borough-based Service Areas, accessible to families from diverse communities, standardized across the city, offered by Peer Advocates in community-based settings, and include parents and youth as full partners in their own service planning.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Brooklyn Alliance is looking to hire a Family Peer Advocate with lived experience as a parent/caregiver of a child who has experienced social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges and has ‘lived experience’ navigating multiple child-serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral healthcare needs. Family Peer Advocate should demonstrate qualities of leadership, including knowledge of advocacy, and can positively reflect on and share his/her life experiences. Advocates are required to complete the PEP credentialing process within 18 months of being hired. This individual should be passionate about supporting parents/caregivers, families and communities around mental health services and needs, advocacy and addressing systemic issues. The Family Peer Advocate will report to the FYPS Program Supervisor.

Specifically, the Family Peer Advocate will be:

•Supporting Parents/Caregivers with navigating child-serving system to obtain the necessary supports and resources for their child(ren).

• Receiving and documenting referrals made by CBOs or other entities or individuals looking to refer a family, parents/caregivers or youth in need of FYPS services.

•Conducting intakes to gather information and support Parents/Caregivers in developing goals that meets the FYPS model.

•Supporting parents/caregivers in achieving the goals outlined in the service plan through group services, individual services, making referrals, preparing them for meetings and appointments, filling out applications and paperwork.

•Documenting all efforts, activities, and engagement with parents/caregivers in Maven in a timely manner.

•Facilitate or co-facilitate parenting groups, workshops and support groups for parents enrolled in the FYPS program.

• Conducting outreach which may include but not limited to presentations, email blasts, social media blasts, fairs and events, neighborhood canvasing.

• Organize and support social and recreational activities organized for parents and families.

• Participating in agency and alliance community awareness events.

• Attending meetings, councils, committees, and other convening bodies as identified by supervisor.

•Being an active participant in their supervision by providing agenda items, concerns, issues, requests or needs to as related to the job, service provision, professional development, professional and personal growth.

• Being aware to community needs and issues that becomes aware through your outreach, meeting with families, parents/caregivers or from the different meeting that are attended.

•Participate in trainings, workshops, symposiums, conferences, and other events for professional development and advancing knowledge and skill around peer support, mental health, advocacy, or other areas of work related to job responsibilities.

•Work in collaboration with the Youth Peer Advocate to provide a wholistic approach to supporting family with needs and concern.

•Work with socially, economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse groups in a mutually respectful manner using a strength-based approach.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

•Be a parent/caregiver of a child who has experienced social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges.

•Must have lived experience’ navigating a child serving system on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, medical and/or behavioral needs.

•Must have a high School Diploma or equivalent certificate.

•Must have basic computer skills and knowledge of office applications.

•Must be able to work some evenings and weekends, in person or through telecommunication.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work Schedule.

• Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays.

• An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental and Vision.

• Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter Benefits.

• Company Paid Life Insurance and Disability Coverage.

• 403 (b) + employer matching and discretionary company contributions.

• College Savings Plan.

• Ongoing trainings and continuous opportunities for professional growth and development.

At PHS, we place immense value on diversity within our teams, understanding that varied backgrounds and experiences significantly enhance our community and propel us toward our goals. If you find you don’t have experience in all the areas listed above, we still encourage you to apply and share your background and experiences in your application. We are eager to discover how your unique perspective can bring positive transformations to our team and help advance our mission of creating healthier, more equitable communities. We look forward to learning more about you.

PHS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and veterans.