Family Peer Advocate-New Opportunity

Are you looking for a rewarding career in Mental Health & Human Services? Apply today to join an amazing team, dedicated to advocating the health & well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties Inc. is looking to fill the position of Family Peer Advocate.

Family Peer Advocate (FPA) has personal experience supporting a youth in a caregiver role that has had mental health, developmental, physical, health or educational concern and had to navigate services and advocate on behalf of the family member. Complete the Credentialing to become a Professional Family Peer Advocate. Support, Empower, Educate and Coordinate families to services and resources within Columbia County. Help families set and reach goals. Provide the parents with coaching and/or parenting resources such as Strengthening Families Program (SFP).

Family Peer Advocates provide family peer support services in a variety of settings including independent community-based family support programs, schools, clinics, residential programs, health homes and Home Community Based Services (HCBS), hospitals, and other community-based organizations. New York’s Family Peer Advocates work in partnership with parents and with service providers from all ‘systems’ including social services, education, mental health, developmental disabilities, juvenile justice, health, and substance abuse. This “cross-systems” work comes naturally to FPAs because family needs cross all systems. FPAs are skilled at supporting parent-professional partnerships. They can also be a tremendous resource as providers adopt family-driven and youth-guided practices.

POSITION TYPE: Full Time-40 hours/non-exempt

PAY RANGE: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour.  

WORK LOCATION: Hudson, NY.  

SHIFT SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evening hours based on program needs.

Job Duties Include:

• Providing information and referral.

• Engaging families in services.
• Working with families to discern their strengths, needs, and priorities.
• Providing 1:1 assistance to help families connect to and participate in services.
• Accompanying parents to meetings to ensure their voice is heard.
• Increasing parents’ feelings of self-efficacy.
• Reducing stigma and feelings of isolation.
• Serving as members of child and family planning teams.
• Helping families identify goals and track progress.
• Supporting families to develop ‘informal’ networks of support.
• Participating as the FPA in specific evidence-based treatment models; Strengthening Families and Parent Empowerment Program.
• Empowering parents by increasing their knowledge in the community resources and supports. Increasing skills such as parenting skills by providing direct support and tools from the Strengthening Families Program (SFP).
• Coaching in constructive self-advocacy skills.
• Coaching in effective parenting strategies.
• Initiating and supporting parent support and skills groups.
• Informing parents (families) about special education services, procedures, and rights.
• Serving as cultural brokers within organizations and systems.
• Providing parents (families) with information regarding mental health diagnoses, medication, and treatment options.
• Facilitating effective family-provider partnerships.

• Must have lived experience as a caregiver to a youth that has a disability, medical and/ or mental health challenge.

• Must obtain Family Peer Advocate credential through employment within 6 months.
• Will complete and maintain all continuing education at a minimum of 20 hours within 2 years for recertification.
• Knowledge of strength-based approach to help empower families.
• Must have an understanding of cultural family differences and values with the ability to remain non-judgmental.
• Will have an understanding of HIPPA privacy laws and adhere to them.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License and a clean MVR.
• Must have a reliable vehicle that has passed New York State Inspection and must have proof of vehicle insurance coverage.
• Must be self-motivated.
• Completes all progress notes, contact notes, assessments prior to the end of each business day.
• Must have excellent verbal, written, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Must have proficiency and adaptability with computer software and web-based systems with the aptitude to learn additional systems quickly and efficiently.
• Ability to work with a diverse population of urban, suburban and rural cultures and with community members from varying socioeconomic backgrounds. 

• Demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
• Regular and steady attendance is a requirement for all positions.
• Any and all other duties as deemed necessary by the Program Director of Family Peer Support Services for the success of the program.

Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. 

All offers are contingent on the candidate’s ability to obtain a Statewide Central Registry and Fingerprint clearance.  

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate in our employment practices due to an applicant's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, familial status, military status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression (including transgender status), predisposing genetic characteristics/genetic information or carrier status, ancestry, ethnic group identification, ethnic background, traits historically associated with race, reproductive health decision making, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. At the Mental Health Association, we believe a diverse and inclusive workforce makes the best workforce. 

Full Time Benefits include Medical, Dental, Life and AD&D plan. Profit Sharing Account (employer contribution) plus Voluntary Vision, Life, AFLAC, Telemedicine (Concierge Medical), Voluntary 401K plans, EAP, generous sick, vacation, personal time, paid holidays, mileage reimbursement at the federal rate per mile driven for business use, tuition reimbursement and much more. Plus, you get to be part of a dynamic, diverse, and supportive behavioral health organization whose mission is to "Provide education and advocacy, and to enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities."