Parent Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY

REPORTS TO: Coordinator of Permanency Services

DEPARTMENT: Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC)

SCHEDULE: Full Time / In Office

$1000.00 Hiring Incentive

AGENCY BACKGROUND:
MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures, and develop their full potential.

To meet the needs of New York City’s ever-changing foster care population, Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) combines and replaces the previous separately contracted Family Foster Care (FFC) and Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC) programs. EFFC recognizes that all children in care have experienced some level of trauma, that their needs may change over time, and that their strengths must be supported so they can reach their full potential.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Birth Parent Advocate will provide advocacy, support, and referral services for birth parents whose children are in foster care. The Parent Advocate helps the parent understand and navigate the foster care system, make decisions for their families, remain hopeful, and address family challenges so that they can accomplish their goal of reunification. The focus of this job is building connections with parents and working collaboratively with case planners. Each Parent Advocate will be assigned to a case planning unit and will support parents and bring their experience to the foster care agency decision-making process so that children safely return home. Parent Advocates with their own personal prior lived experience of the child welfare system will be effective in informing and supporting parents with children in foster care and help to improve outcomes for children and families.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Good Communication, both verbal and written
• Prior Personal lived experience in the Foster Care System is Required
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contacts birth parent within specific time frame in order to engage them in the process of planning for their child
• Provides advocacy, support, and referral services for Birth Parents in such areas as family court, housing, and public assistance
• Educate prospective birth parents on the birth parent/client experience
• Maintains contact and meets with birth parent on a regular basis to provide support
• Participates in Birth Parent Orientation
• Facilitates a Parent Support Circle for birth parents in order to address common needs
• Monitor family/sibling visits
• Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed
• Respond to Client requests for information.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries
• Participate in meetings and family team conferences

BENEFITS/PERKS:

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

Salary Range:

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.

We are a non-profit agency for children and family services. A career with MercyFirst, an innovative, community-based social service agency, can be meaningful in so many ways. Be part of an organization committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children and families struggling to make their way in the world. In addition to the rewarding work we accomplish as a team each day, MercyFirst also has generous compensation and benefits offerings, a great client and employee-focused internal culture, and career advancement opportunities.

We are seeking qualified and motivated professionals who want to help MercyFirst build lasting foundations for children and youth with complex needs, and help them overcome and recover from trauma and prepare for a promising future.

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.

Company Description

We are a non-profit agency for children and family services. A career with MercyFirst, an innovative, community-based social service agency, can be meaningful in so many ways. Be part of an organization committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children and families struggling to make their way in the world. In addition to the rewarding work we accomplish as a team each day, MercyFirst also has generous compensation and benefits offerings, a great client and employee-focused internal culture, and career advancement opportunities.\r\rWe are seeking qualified and motivated professionals who want to help MercyFirst build lasting foundations for children and youth with complex needs, and help them overcome and recover from trauma and prepare for a promising future.\r\rMercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.