Family Peer Advocate I Or Ii - Grow

We are currently hiring for a Family Peer Advocate I or II with the GROW program at our Auburn NY location.

Part time position (20 hours) Monday to Friday with a flexible schedule. 

As part of the Residential clinical team, The Family Peer Advocate I or II supports parents and caregivers of youth in Residential Services in their efforts to improve self-efficacy, and to be more confident and competent in their role as the expert on their child's needs. The Family Peer Advocate assists caregivers to build upon their natural supports and provides linkage and referral to community resources to foster their children's healthy development.

Under the supervision and general direction of the assigned manager, the Family Peer Advocate provides outreach, information, referrals, advocacy services, and education for families.  Applicants must have lived experience based on program and funder requirements

"Lived Experience" as a parent/caregiver of a child with a social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges; experience in navigating child serving systems to obtain services and resources for their child/family. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide emotional support to families through phone and face to face meetings.
• Meet documentation requirements in a timely manner per program guidelines.
• Provide family support as needed.
• Coach families on how to advocate for themselves.
• Facilitate/co-facilitate educational and support groups with families.
• At the point of intake, help families assess their own resources for services needed. (such as respite, transportation and child care)
• Help families find ways to meet their basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, safety, and health.
• Assist families in identifying parenting skills which could be strengthened, and model these skills to the families.
• Act as an Advocate In identifying and accessing community services and resources for families.
• Help family identify gaps in services needed and assist in planning to eliminate gap.
• Help families to identify strengths upon which to build a foundation of improved communication and coping skills.

Requirements: 

• Must be the parent or primary care giver of a child with special needs and/or social, emotional or behavioral challenges
• MUST include a COVER LETTER DESCRIBING RELEVANT EXPERIENCE with resume
• Must have a minimum of a High School Diploma or GED 
• Must have experience in navigating systems (general or special education, court, specialized therapies, etc.) to obtain services for their child/family and/or have experience supporting/assisting other families in obtaining assistance
• Have a valid driver's license and meet agency driving standards

Level I

$15.00 Minimum Rate per hour, $20.23 Maximum Rate per hour, based on experience.

Level II

$15.00 Minimum Rate per hour, $21.85 Maximum Rate per hour, based on experience.

Hillside is committed to equal opportunities for all, supporting a diverse workforce, creating great opportunities for our Agency, our people, and to those whom we serve.  We offer a competitive benefits package to include very generous paid time off, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending account, 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match, paid holidays, and Employee Assistance Plan, just to name a few of the amazing benefits at Hillside!  You'll be working with great people and great clientele where you can truly make a difference.  Apply online, get on board, and grow your career with us.  You'll be so glad you did!

EOE/AA Disability/Veteran