Family Peer Advocate

Do Work That Matters. In a Culture That Means It.

Be part of a team that values connection, accountability, and real impact.

Why Access?

Because how we work matters just as much as what we do. At Access, our Culture Playbook isn't a poster on the wall - it's how we show up for each other and for the people we support.

You'll be part of a team that is:

• Clear about expectations
• Supportive and accountable
• Focused on outcomes that matter to people.

And committed to helping people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible - while making sure out staff can do the same.

Location: New Paltz, NY

Hours: M-F 930 am to 6 pm

Rate of Pay: $26.50 Certified and $25.00 (No Certification)

OVERVIEW OF PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES :

The Orange County Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team is seeking a parent/caregiver who has lived experience with the associated challenges of raising a child with a mental health diagnosis as a parent or primary caregiver. The ideal candidate will be passionate about working closely with youth ages 10-21 with acute mental health needs. We are willing to train & assist the ideal candidate with obtaining a New York State Family Peer Advocate Certification, if not currently certified.

The Orange County Youth ACT Team is a comprehensive, community based mental health service model designed to address the significant needs of children/youth who are at risk of entering, or returning home from high intensity services, such as inpatient psychiatric hospitalization or residential placement. Youth ACT services are delivered in the home or other community based settings using a multidisciplinary approach to better achieve success and maintain the child/youth in the home, school, and community.

The Family Peer Advocate will be responsible for working with their Youth ACT team colleagues to follow the mission of providing the young person and their family with the level of support and access to services required to sustain gains made in crisis response or other out of-home high-intensity services.


PRIMARY FUNCTIONS :

FPA services include an array of formal and informal services and supports provided to families raising a child who is experiencing social, emotional, developmental and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, and/or community. Activities can consist of engaging the parent/caregiver in activities in the home and community that are designed to address one or more goals on the youth's service plan by assisting the parent/caregiver with:

• Meeting the needs of the youth through educating, supporting, coaching, modeling and
• Teaching parent/caregiver how to network/link to community resources, how to advocate for services and resources to meet the youth's needs; and,
• Guiding and support linkage to individual, peer/parent support, and self-help groups for parent/caregiver.
• Family Partner have first-hand knowledge of the services and supports available in the community.

FPAs offer resources including, but not limited to:

• Assisting families in connecting to community resources and natural supports
• Strengthening and supporting the care-giving efforts of families with special emphasis on their youth's needs such as: emotional, physical health, parenting, and family interaction
• Empowering families to make informed choices regarding the nature of supports for themselves and their child.
• Develop a family's capacity to enhance and improve the overall health and well-being of their child and family.
• Work with the family and their provider team to promote effective collaboration and communication.
• Strengthen and develop a family's skill and feeling of self-efficacy so they can effectively advocate for their child, work collaboratively with services providers and do so with increasing independence over time.
• Advocate with the family to access supports, services, and activities.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL / ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:

• Collaborate with Family Services and Behavioral Health departments to ensure integrated quality service delivery to service recipients, facilitating inter-departmental response and coordinated services.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES :

The ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent Verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, time management and computer skills.
• Flexibility and ability to work independently a MUST.
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and be willing to transport clients in own vehicle.
• Be a parent or caregiver of a child with a history of emotional and/or behavioral problems
• Spanish fluency is a plus.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

• Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or a State Education Commencement Credential.
• Have experience working with children (preference given to those with experience working with children with mental health needs).
• Must have Family Peer credential OR be willing to obtain within 30 days of start date

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and Veterans