FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Starting range: $17.33 - $18.75 per hour. Personalized salary reflecting your related experience and academic/credentialed background.

Location: 3350 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14214

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Family Peer Advocacy Services are an array of services and support systems provided to families raising a child or young adult up to age 21 who is experiencing social, emotional, addiction, or behavioral health challenges in their home, school, community, and/or placement. Family Peer support services are provided by a trained and credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA) who is uniquely qualified to work with families based on their personal lived experience parenting a child with similar needs and the specialized training they receive. This service provides a structured, strength-based relationship between a credentialed FPA and the parent/caregiver for the benefit of the child/youth. The purpose of this service is to support the parent/caregiver and enhance their skills so they can promote positive youth functioning and their child's ability to live successfully in their community.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides outreach and information, engagement, bridging and transition support, self-advocacy, community connections and natural supports, parent skill development and promotion of family driven practice
• Provides individual and family advocacy on site, at satellite sites, in the field or in the home
• Refers children/families to ancillary services
• Runs family education and support groups
• Meets agency Key Performance Indicators.
• Represents the program at collaborative interagency meetings
• Promote a culture of wellness and serve as a positive role model to support participants in maintaining optimal health.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and discussions
• Maintains and disseminates information on community resources
• Maintains records in an accurate and timely fashion in accordance with regulations.
• Maintains client confidentiality at all times following all agency and HIPPA policies.
• Attends trainings as required for obtaining full peer certification and/or obtaining recertification of full peer credentials.
• Completes all trainings required by the agency.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Degree or equivalency
• CCBHC programs: must have a provisional or full family peer certification through Families Together NY (FTNY).
• All other agency programs: must be actively working towards obtaining provisional or full family peer certification, within 6 months from hire, through Families Together NY (FTNY).
• Must be able to demonstrate lived experience as the parent or primary caregiver who has navigated multiple child serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral healthcare needs
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a comprehensive team
• Must have experience and/or be willing to learn and often use basic office technology including Microsoft Word, Outlook, & Teams, copiers, phones.
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Works to create a safe environment that respects and empowers participants to feel a sense of pride in their culture and beliefs they identify with.
• Valid NYS Driver's License.
• Must have accredited NYS Defensive Driving course; or obtain within 15 days of hire and send certification of completion to Human Resources.
• Must maintain active NYS Defensive Driving course every 3 years and send a copy of the new certification of completion upon expiration.
• If utilizing personal vehicle, must maintain valid vehicle inspection, registration, and insurance cards and send updated copies to Human Resources upon expiration.

Benefits include:

• Sign on bonuses for all
• Multiple health insurance options
• Employee referral bonus
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Clinical license renewal reimbursement
• Generous paid time