Family Peer Advocate

Position Summary: The Family Peer Advocate provides an array of formal and informal activities and support to families caring for/ raising a child who is experiencing social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community.  Full-time. Travel between locations in the Capital District/Troy area required.

Family Peer Support Services provides a structured, strength-based relationship between a Family Peer Advocate (FPA) and the parent/family member/caregiver for the benefit of the child/youth. Services are delivered in a trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner.

Position Summary:

• Engage the family/child to begin the partnership and connection to service delivery.
• Conduct family/caregiver a needs assessment to determine family/caregiver and child's strengths and needs during the intake process.
• Write a treatment plan based on assessment, based on service components which include outreach and information, bridging and transition support; Self-advocacy, self-efficacy and empowerment; parent skill development; and community connections and natural supports.
• Assist family/caregiver in carrying out specific tasks as outlined in the treatment plan.
• Collaborate with any collateral contacts that are part of the family/caregiver's treatment team, including attending team meetings as requested.
• Complete all required documentation of services and contact.
• Participate in regularly scheduled supervision.
• Facilitate family peer group if designated FPA to facilities; if not, act as co-facilitator as needed to lead the group.
• Perform all reasonable, related duties assigned.

Required Education, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Strong writing and communication skills.

• Exceptional organizational skills and be highly detail-oriented.

• NYS Driver's license with a clean MVR and access to reliable transportation.

• Must demonstrate "lived experience" as a 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 health needs.

• At a minimum, have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or a State Education Commencement Credential.

• Family Peer Support will be delivered by a New York State Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA).

• If not credentialed at the time of hire, the Family Peer Advocate will complete Level One and apply for Provisional Family Peer Advocate Credential within the first 3 months of employment. The Family Peer Advocate will then complete Level Two and a 2-day face-to-face training of the Parent Empowerment Program Training for Family Peer Advocates and complete the phone conferences or approved comparable training and apply for the Family Peer Advocate Credential. This process will be completed within the first 6 months of Provisional Employment.

• Agree to practice according to the Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics.

• Family Peer Advocates will ensure to meet recertification requirements: Complete 20 hours of continuing education and renew the FPA credential every two years.

OR

Family Peer Support will be delivered by a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) with a Family Specialty.

To be certified as CPRA-Family, the individual must be at least 18 years of age and have the following:

• Demonstrate lived experience as a primary caregiver of a youth who has participated in (or navigated) the addiction services system.

• Provide outreach, advocacy and recovery support services for families seeking and sustaining recovery on behalf of a child or youth.

• Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) preferred or a State Education Commencement Credential.

• Complete a minimum of 46 hours of content-specific training, covering the topics: advocacy, mentoring/education, recovery/wellness support and ethical responsibility.

• Document 500 hours of related work or volunteer experience

• Provide evidence of at least 25 hours of supervision in a peer role.

• Pass the NYCB/IC and RC Peer Advocate Exam or other exam by an OASAS-designated certifying body.

• Demonstrate a minimum of 20 hours in the area of Family Support (combined online and classroom training)

• Complete 10 hours of continuing education per year of certification, including 2 hours of Ethics

Abilities and Working Conditions:

• Must be available to work a flexible schedule to meet agency needs.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Demonstrate "lived experience" as a primary caregiver of a youth who has participated in (or navigated) the addiction services system, systems relating to social/behavioral health needs.
• Provide outreach, advocacy and recovery support services for families seeking and sustaining recovery on behalf of a child or youth.
• Have a High School Diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) or a State Education Commencement Credential. This educational requirement can be waived by the State if the person has demonstrated competencies and has relevant life experience sufficient for the peer credential.
• While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is often required to talk, hear, sit, and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel. Will be required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this position include close and far vision.
• Agree to practice according to Family Peer code of Ethics.

Pay: $22-$24 based on education. 

Vanderheyden is committed to the National Sanctuary Model - a blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community.  The Sanctuary Model's focus is not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems that provide those services.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, military or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics or prior arrest or conviction record or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.