Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Family Peer Advocate FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

PROGRAM: Youth Assertive Community Treatment Rockland HOURS PER WEEK: 35

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Youth ACT Team Leader

Salary Range: $45,000 to $50,000

The Youth ACT Team serves children/youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) throughout Rockland County, who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services, at risk of entering such settings, or have not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional community-based services. Youth ACT team delivers intensive, highly coordinated, individualized services and skilled therapeutic interventions through an integrated, multi-disciplinary team approach to better achieve success and maintain the child in the home, school and community.

SUMMARY of DUTIES

The Family Peer Advocate (FPA) is a parent or caregiver who is raising or has raised a child with serious mental health concerns and is personally familiar with the associated challenges and available community resources for children and families. The FPA is an active member of the Youth ACT Team. The FPA acts as a role model, educates parents and caregivers about self-help techniques and self-help group processes, teaches effective coping strategies based on personal lived experience, teaches symptom management skills, assists in clarifying and supporting rehabilitation, recovery and resilience. These services provide the support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the caregiver in the treatment planning process and support the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills. Services are delivered in a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner. The FPA will facilitate the use of natural and community supports and resources. The FPA will support recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaboration. When possible he/she will utilize evidence-based practices; always embracing a trauma-informed and person-centered approach.

SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Engage caregivers in a variety of strategies to work toward identified goals, including but not limited to: strengthening problem solving skills; providing mentoring; engaging in community resource exploration; and providing life skills support
2. Document progress and maintain a permanent record of activity according to established methods and procedures
3. Practice with a person-centered, trauma informed philosophy in alignment with the values of GMH.
4. Help to shape the team’s culture to one that promotes person-centered, recovery-focused, strengths-based service delivery.
5. Assist in family engagement and retention activities to promote optimum involvement with the team, including helping team to maintain a family-focused, recovery-oriented approach.
6. Maintain appropriate professional standards
7. Responsible for adhering to all standards and guidelines established by applicable regulatory authorities.
8. Participate in daily morning team meetings.
9. Follows the established agency policies and maintains appropriate professional standards.
10. Due to the nature of the position, ability to work a flexible schedule is desired.
11. Other designated and related duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

1. Knowledge of the signs of psychiatric crises, engagement skills, de-escalation techniques.
2. Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
3. Experience understanding family systems based on diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
4. Highly organized, detail oriented, and self-motivated.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be a parent or caregiver who is raising or has raised a child with serious mental health concerns and is personally familiar with the associated challenges and available community resources for children and families.
2. Must be eligible for the Family Peer Advocate Provisional Credential and be willing to participate in the training toward Youth Peer Advocate Professional Credential within required timeframes.
3. Basic Computer knowledge is required.
4. Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
5. Must have a valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier.
6. Must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification.
7. Must be cleared by the NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search.
8. Must be cleared by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for instances of child abuse and/or neglect.
9. Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.

"After six months of employment, you can expect to receive a retention bonus of $2,000

Greater Mental Health of New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Greater Mental Health of New York is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact to the Human Resources Department.

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