Senior Family Peer Advocate

Description

Join our team as a Senior Family Peer Advocate! **Ask about our sign on and retention bonus**

MHA is seeking a credentialed (through Families Together in New York State) Senior Family Peer Advocate.

Are you a parent or caregiver with lived experience raising a child with emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental challenges? Are you passionate about using that experience to support and empower other families? The Mental Health Association (MHA) is looking for compassionate, dedicated, credentialed Senior Family Peer Advocate (full-time -35 hours/week) to join our team and make a difference in the lives of families navigating the mental health system.

As a Senior Family Peer Advocate, in addition to providing one-on-one support to families and caregivers, you will serve as a point person to staff, helping them fulfill their responsibilities and ensure organizational policies and procedures are consistently followed and assist the Department Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Build supportive, trusting relationships with families and caregivers through shared lived experience.
• Provide peer support services at program sites and in the community, based on family preference and needs.
• Help families understand and navigate mental health systems, schools, service providers, and community resources.
• Empower caregivers to become advocates for their child and their family.
• Refer families to appropriate community services and supports.
• Mentor staff and help them successfully fulfill their responsibilities.
• Ensure staff are adhering to organizational and departmental policies and procedures
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in compliance with HIPAA and agency guidelines.
• Attend team meetings and trainings; contribute to a collaborative, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed workplace.
• Promote family-driven, youth-guided principles and advocate for effective parent-professional partnerships.

Requirements

Education & Certification:

• High school diploma or GED required. Associate degree in Human Services preferred.
• NYS Credentialed Family Peer Advocate preferred, or must be actively working toward credentialing through Families Together in NYS (required to maintain certification throughout employment).

Experience:

• Lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a child with mental health, emotional, or developmental challenges.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience working directly with families.
• Knowledge of the public mental health system.
• Experience with electronic health records preferred.

Skills & Requirements:

• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Highly organized, with attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Sensitivity and respect for diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
• Reliable transportation and ability to provide community-based services.
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

Technology & Tools

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with Paylocity and EHR systems is a plus.