Family Peer Advocate Countywide Crisis Program

JOB DESCRIPTION

FULL TIME BILINGUAL FAMILY PEER ADVOCATE

CRISIS STABILIZATION PROGRAM – WESTCHESTER COUNTY

HOURS OF WORK:  Full time (35 hours per week).

WHO WE ARE:

Family Ties of Westchester provides peer support, education, and advocacy services to families experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges.  We connect families to essential community resources in order to achieve and sustain good health, emotional wellness and family stability. We partner with families and communities across Westchester County to make sure that everyone has the foundation they need to build a healthy, meaningful life. With access to the right resources and support, every family is able to thrive.

We are looking for candidates who have faced life’s challenges, overcome them and want to give back to their community. We need people with strong, active voices. Your experience has power. Share it and help others like you be heard, supported, and empowered. As Westchester’s only independent, family-run, peer support organization, we are dedicated to achieving equity and social change. We value your lived experience navigating service systems and your ability to advocate for yourself, family, and community.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Bilingual Family Peer Advocate (FPA) will work as a member of a team, and in close collaboration with, a clinical case manager and respite specialist, to support the parents/caregivers of Westchester youngsters who are referred to the Crisis Stabilization Program.

The Crisis Stabilization Program is an innovative initiative, funded through the NYS Office of Mental Health, which is designed to reduce hospitalizations, re-hospitalizations and/or Emergency Department use by children and adolescents who experience psychiatric difficulties.  The Countywide Crisis Stabilization Team will participate in ongoing communication, training and coordination with district personnel, as well as other onsite resources.

The FPA will participate in the initial assessment, as well as actively contribute a family-support lens to the processes of safety planning and brief crisis intervention.  The FPA will focus on engaging the caregiver and other family members, as well as on strengthening their relationships with natural supports, school personnel and related community providers.  The FPA will provide a range of family support services as needed, including individual support, education, advocacy, and connection to local resources.  The FPA will additionally bring to bear his/her lived experience, local knowledge, and cultural and linguistic competence, to foster connectedness among family members, natural supports, and the community at large.

SALARY;  Full-time $45,000-$48,000.00 annually

QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. CANDIDATE MUST BE A PARENT OR PRIMARY CAREGIVER OF A YOUNGSTER WITH SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES, AND BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN FPA/PEP TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROCESS, IF NOT ALREADY CERTIFIED.
2. Bilingual (English/Spanish) applicant preferred. Applicant must have good verbal, written and computer skills in both English and Spanish.
3. Bachelor’s degree preferred, plus two years’ experience working directly with families and children. 
4. Valid driver's license and car required. Applicant must be willing to travel throughout Westchester County with their own vehicle to meet families in the community or their homes.
5. Applicant must will willing to have a flexible schedule to meet family’s needs, which may involve an early morning meeting or evening home visit.
6. All candidates must receive satisfactory clearances from the Child Abuse Registry, Criminal History Information Tracking System and Department of Motor Vehicles.
7. The applicant must be vaccinated.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:  (Illustrative Only)

1. Works on a one to one basis with parents/caregivers of youth referred to the Crisis Stabilization Program, for whatever period is deemed necessary by the team, and then transitions the family to the Family Ties’ Resource Center for ongoing family support services, as needed.
2. Makes evaluation of families' needs for services in the system-of-care;
3. With the families' permission, makes necessary collateral contacts;
4. Acts as an advocate on behalf of families;
5. Arranges, prepares families for, and attends, wraparound or other family decision making meetings as needed.
6. Attends CSE (Committee on Special Education), DSS Service Plan Reviews, and other meetings with families when requested to do so;
7. Attends meetings, conferences, trainings and community events as required by agency and/or Program Director;
8. Uses computer applications or other automated systems in performing work assignments.

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES: Position reports to the Clinical Director.

Family Ties of Westchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We offer a generous benefits package and professional but friendly working environment.

If interested, please send a cover letter briefly describing your personal family experience as well as your experience working with families along with your resume.

Send resume and cover letter to:

Madeline Lombardi: Email: [email protected]; Fax: 914-995-8421