Family Peer Advocate-Home + Community Based Support Services program

Family Peer Advocate

Program Summary: Home & Community Based Support Services consists of three programs with the goal of keeping children in the home with their family by providing counseling, psychoeducation, skill building, support and linkage.

Position Summary: The Family Peer Advocate provides advocacy, education, and support to families of children with mental health, behavioral health, substance use, developmental disabilities and medically fragile challenges, helping them navigate and access community resources, services, and natural supports. The Family Peer Advocate builds strong relationships with families by offering a unique, empathetic understanding of their needs and challenges, ultimately fostering safe, stable, and connected family units.

Why work in a home and community-based position?

A New Adventure Every Day: No more mundane desk work! Every day is different, as you'll be on the move, visiting new places, and interacting with diverse individuals. The variety of each day keeps things exciting!

No Desk, No Problem: Say goodbye to being tied to a desk. If you're someone who thrives on autonomy, a home-based role is perfect for you. Whether you're in your car, out in the field, or at a client's location, you won't be stuck in one place.

A Day on the job as a Family Peer Advocate:

• Serve as a trusted advocate for families, using personal experience as a parent of a child with mental health, behavioral health, substance use, developmental disabilities and/or significant medical concerns to offer authentic, informed guidance.
• Assist families in accessing necessary services, supports, and resources both within the community and through waiver programs.
• Actively work to connect families with natural supports, such as community groups, extended family, or peer networks.
• Provide families with information about available community resources, including but not limited to educational, cultural, recreational, and mental health supports.
• Help families navigate and engage with resources that are culturally appropriate, individualized to meet their needs and sustainable.
• Ensure families have access to activities that enhance family cohesion and long-term stability.
• Collaborate with other service providers, mental health professionals, and community organizations to ensure comprehensive support for families.

Direct Family Engagement:

• Meet with families in their homes and/or communities to assess needs, provide support, and facilitate access to necessary services and activities.
• Work with individual parents/guardians to ensure all needs are met and to promote engagement in the larger community.

What has prepared you to be a Family Peer Advocate?

• Personal experience, as a parent or caregiver, raising or having raised a child with a history of emotional or behavioral challenges. (Parent or caregiver is defined as a parent, foster parent or other family member with direct responsibility for the care of a child with a diagnosis of emotional disturbance)
• You are a credentialed Family Peer Advocate
• Valid NYS Driver's License and a personal vehicle to travel to support families in their homes and the community
• A Flexible schedule that allows you to work evening and weekends to meet the needs of the families on your case load
• Have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Deep understanding of the challenges families face and the ability to connect with families based on shared lived experiences.
• Knowledge of community resources and services, particularly those available for families of children with mental health concerns.
• Ability to facilitate support groups and engage families in meaningful activities.

Competitive hourly pay rate of $18 to $19 depending on experience.

C+FS offers full-time employees the below benefits to support our employees and their families and help to create a healthy work environment.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) –20 PTO Days (25 Days After Five Years of Employment) –14 Paid Holidays (includes 2 flex holidays) – Bereavement: Four Paid Days – Paid Jury Duty
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Medical, Two Plan Options
• Dental, Two Plan Options
• Vision Insurance
• Wellness Program and Incentives
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Quarterly Employer-Contributions
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care FSA
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions After Two Years (1000 hours each year)

Child and Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Child and Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child and Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.