Parent Advocate

Family Peer Advocate

The Child Center of NY strengthens children and families with skills, opportunities, and emotional support to build healthy, successful lives. Founded in 1953, The Child Center of NY has become a powerful community presence throughout the city. With 50 locations and 100 programs in NYC's most under-served communities, our 1,000+ results-oriented professionals make a difference for more than 40,000 children and their families each year.

Are you a parent or caregiver who's navigated complex child-serving systems and wants to use your lived experience to support other families? We're looking for a compassionate Family Peer Advocate to walk alongside families, help them find their voice, and connect them to the resources they need to thrive.

What You'll Do

• Build trusting relationships with families by offering emotional and practical support grounded in lived experience
• Empower families to set goals, recognize their strengths, and move toward outcomes that matter to them
• Help families understand their rights and confidently navigate behavioral health, education, and social service systems
• Advocate for family needs within service systems and help remove barriers to care
• Connect families to community resources, natural supports, and peer networks
• Collaborate with social workers, therapists, and other professionals to provide coordinated, family-centered care
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold professional and ethical standards
• Participate in ongoing training and certification to continue growing your skills

What You Bring

• Lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a child with social, emotional, or behavioral challenges or as someone who has navigated child-serving systems
• High School Diploma or equivalent (required)
• Comfort using computers and basic software
• Ability to travel to meet with families in the community

Why Join Us

• Competitive pay – earn up to $35.71 per service hour
• Fee-for-service, field-based role – offers variety and flexibility. We operate every day of the week, so you get to build a schedule that works best for you and the families you serve
• Will pay to get you credentialed as a Family Peer Advocate
• Reimbursement for transportation costs
• Supportive, mission-driven team environment
• Opportunities for professional growth

Bonus If You Have

• Bilingual skills (Spanish or other community languages)
• Experience in behavioral health or social services
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and person-centered recovery

Why This Role Matters

Family Peer Advocates are powerful change-makers. Your experience, empathy, and advocacy help families feel understood, supported, and empowered every step of the way.

The Child Center of NY is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status or any other category protected by Federal, State or local law. EOE M/F/D/V