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Position Title: Family Peer Advocate

Department: Family & Youth Peer Support Services

Reports to: Program Supervisor

Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday; Saturdays 9am-1pm and evening hours as needed

Pay Range: $29.23 - $32.97

Formerly the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), Vibrant Emotional Health’s groundbreaking solutions have delivered high quality services and support, when, where and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.

Position Overview:

Vibrant’s Family & Youth Peer Support Services are staffed by family advocates who have shared similar life experiences to other parents – including finding success in navigating the complexities of the child-serving system. Family Peer Advocates are committed to the well-being of all, demonstrate respect in every aspect of their work, and thrive in a collaborative team environment. They possess the skills to build and maintain strong relationships.

Duties/Responsibilities:

+ Collaborate with families to assess their needs and link them to appropriate resources in their community

+ Share personal knowledge and experiences about the youth serving system

+ Partner with other staff members and teams of the Vibrant Alliance to provide supportive services

+ Conduct outreach and presentations to schools, early intervention programs, clinics, and other community-based providers with a special emphasis on connecting with communities that have been historically hard to reach

+ Facilitate /co-facilitate parenting education and support groups

+ Conduct home and community visits to meet the family in locations that allow for the best possible opportunity for assistance

+ Organize and support social and recreational activities for families

+ Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of the work completed with individuals and families

+ Additional duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

+ The Family Peer Advocate (FPA) will be a parent/caregiver of a child who has experienced social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges and has ‘lived experience’ navigating multiple child serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral healthcare needs.

+ Strong written and verbal communication skills

+ Work flexible hours, as required

+ Bilingual and bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply

Required Qualifications:

+ Able to complete the FPA credentialing process within 18 months of being hired

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

+ High School Diploma or GED

Physical Requirements:

+ Mostly sedentary work; using standard office equipment including: a computer, keyboard, and telephone

+ Ability to work collaboratively with staff, program participants, service providers and other stakeholders

+ Ability to remain calm and composed under stress

+ Ability to respond to telephones and other auditory stimulation

+ Ability to evaluate/interpret information and make independent judgment/decisions