The Family Center (TFC) is a nonprofit providing behavioral and mental health services, as well as social and legal services, to families affected by illness, crisis and loss. The Family Center has pioneered programming design and research to address the myriad of issues that challenge vulnerable New Yorkers and their families. Please visit our website at www.thefamilycenter.org to learn more.
TFC is seeking a part-time Family Peer Advocate. The Family Peer Advocate will provide support, psychoeducation and advocacy to parents and caregivers of children with emotional or mental health challenges. The Family Peer Advocate will serve families being seen both through TFC's mental health clinic, as well as our grant-funded programs, which serve various target populations including families headed by kin caregivers and adoptive parents and families impacted by breast cancer or HIV. The Family Peer Advocate will report to the Assistant Director of Behavioral Health and Support Services.
Primary Responsibilities • Greet parents and provide information about services and groups offered at the agency • Provide in-office and home-based assessments, care management and peer support to parents of children being seen by TFC mental health clinicians • Facilitate internal and external referrals for a range of services to meet critical individual and family needs, and expand access to community-based enrichment and social support • Coach and prepare parents for IEP meetings, case conferences and other appointments, and provide in-person support as needed • Assist in facilitation of peer support groups, family activities and parenting training • Conduct outreach to promote TFC's services among providers and community members • Deliver and document services, including evidence-based interventions, with fidelity to program and agency protocol • Document all work with clients in electronic health record system • Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications • High School diploma or equivalent • Credentialed as a NYS Family Peer Advocate. If not credentialed, completion of training and credentialing process will be required once hired • Minimum of 2 years work experience providing support to vulnerable families in a social service, child welfare or educational setting • Lived experience as a parent or caregiver to a child with mental health or serious behavioral challenges • Familiarity with benefits and resources available to low-income families and children with special needs • Experience facilitating groups and/or delivering training
Location: This position is based in our Brooklyn office, but will require travel throughout New York City. Our office is located at 493 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, which is conveniently located steps away from several public transportation options.
Starting Pay Range: $20-$23 per hour
Schedule: Part-time, non-exempt, 21 hours per week
Employee Benefits: The Family Center offers a highly competitive benefits package. For part-time employees regularly working 20 or more hours per week, this includes paid vacation time, paid safe and sick time, paid holidays, a 403(b) retirement plan, and various professional training and development opportunities.
The Family Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
At The Family Center, we are dedicated to creating a positive work environment for our team. We value relationship- building and collaboration within and across its departments. We also greatly value and appreciate our team members, their well-being and work-life integration. We strive to create a workplace where staff feel supported and receive ongoing coaching, training and opportunities for growth. The Family Center is also committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and has a DEI program that all team members have the opportunity to participate in and contribute to.
How to Apply
Please email a resume and cover letter that includes salary requirements to jobs@thefamilycenter.org with the subject line "Family Peer Advocate." The Family Center greatly appreciates the time and effort that candidates put into their applications, and carefully reviews each one. Due to a high volume of applicants, however, the Family Center is only able to contact those candidates that are selected for further consideration.
Equal Opportunity
The Family Center is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.