About this position
Description:
Family Peer Advocates (FPA) provide support to families raising a child who is experiencing social, emotional, behavioral or developmental challenges in their home, school, placement or community. FPAs are uniquely qualified to work with families based on their own personal experience parenting a child with similar needs. FPAs develop a structured, strength-based relationship with families to provide support, information, empowerment, parent skill development and advocacy using strength based, family driven and youth guided care at all levels of contact with families, communities and service providers.
Requirements:Essential Functions:
- Develops a supportive professional strength-based relationship with the parents, by providing culturally competent, non-judgmental, empathetic care.
- Shares their lived experience when appropriate to engage families, reduce stigma and build hope.
- Work with families to create family support goals and steps they will take to reach those goals.
- Model and teach advocacy skills and effective communication styles to develop families’ self-advocacy skills.
- Attend meetings and support families to actively participate in planning their services.
- Partner with families and providers to track progress toward goals and revise plans as needed.
- Provide individualized coaching in the family’s home or in the community based on family identified needs.
- Assist families to explore community-based resources, services, support groups, and learning opportunities.
- Assist families to enrich family relationships and rebuild natural support systems.
- Collaborate with providers, referral sources and community supports. Coordinate, recruit for and facilitate family support groups.
- Make presentations to community groups.
- Participate in all required training opportunities and pursue further enrichment/training.
- Participate in regular staff meetings and supervision.
- Complete documentation in a timely manner including assessments, demographic information, treatment plans, progress notes, etc
- Provide Programming to families – one on one and in group setting
- Establish and build relationships with community organizations and resources relating to the agency Mission/Vision.
- Attending local, regional and state committee/consortium/coalition meetings as relevant.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to, and respect for, the diverse cultural backgrounds and practices of volunteers, consumers and staff.
- Compile program statistics including monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
- Provide training to volunteers and referring professionals when needed.
- Offer weekly family-friendly events throughout Herkimer County.
- Collaborate with Peers in other parts of the state especially through CFLR
- Convene a Peer Family Support Group.
- Attending CFLR staff meetings and other agency functions as required.
- Provide occasional transportation of program clients in accordance with CFLR's transportation policy.
- Abide by HIPPA laws and State and County PINS Diversion regulations.
- Any other duties/tasks assigned by supervisor.
Knowledge
- Clerical – Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms and other office procedures.
- Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.
- Computers and electronics – Knowledge of computer software including application and programming.
Skills
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Abilities
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Work Values
- Kindness - Showing you care with acts of service. Give kudos authentically with examples. Listen to understand (being open).
- Integrity - Do what you say you're going to do / stick the landing. Serving others, offering help and flexibility and performing the platinum rule.
- Excellence - Work towards specific area to strengthen or build goals / programs / teams /s elf. Delivering service in an exceptional way. Benchmarking, progress and quality control understanding.
- Efficiency - Share and conduct the plan consistently. Teamwork as an act of cooperation (using each other's strengths). Perform your responsibilities.
- Purpose - Intentionally sharing our why, aspirations and goals. Role modeling and coaching others in the process. Building agency culture.
- Courage - Be direct - what do you need? Standing up and taking the lead when no one else is. Level up growth mindset.
Qualifications:
- High School Diploma and 2-4 years of related experience in human services, education, mental health/addictions field.
- Have personal experience as a recipient of mental health services and/or substance abuse services with a willingness to share personal and practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit clients.
- FPA Credential is preferred. However, must complete online training and 2-day in person training within 6-months of hire (dates flexible based upon frequency of in person training)
- Participate in coaching calls
- Demonstrated ability in public speaking and program delivery.
- Current and valid NYS driver’s license.
Work Environment
- Normal room temperature
- Relatively normal noise level (inside & outside).
Physical Demands
- Ability to sit and type at a computer screen for long periods of time.
- Ability to bend and stand for 10-20 minutes at a time.
- Ability to lift and move up to 20 pounds at a time.
Note: This employee must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
I have reviewed and understood the requirements, essential functions, and duties of this position.