Job Description

Are you a parent with a child that has a diagnosis? Are you looking for a rewarding career in Mental Health & Human Services? Apply today to join an amazing team, dedicated to advocating for the health & well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties Inc. is looking to fill the position of Family Peer Advocate through Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS).

Family Peer Advocates (FPA) provide family peer support services in a variety of settings including independent community-based family support programs, schools, clinics, residential programs, health homes and HCBS, hospitals, and other community-based organizations. New York’s Family Peer Advocates work in partnership with parents and with service providers from all ‘systems’ including social services, education, mental health, developmental disabilities, juvenile justice, health, and substance abuse. This ‘cross-systems’ work comes naturally to FPAs because family needs cross all systems. FPAs are skilled at supporting parent-professional partnerships. They can also be a tremendous resource as providers adopt family-driven and youth-guided practices. 

POSITION TYPE: Full Time-40 hours/non-exempt

PAY RANGE: $20.00 per hour w/out FPA credentials, $22.00 per hour w/ FPA provisional credentials and $24.00 per hour w/ FPA professional credentials.

WORK LOCATION: 190 Fairview Ave ., Hudson, NY.  

SHIFT SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evening hours based on program needs.

Job duties include: 

• Providing information and referral. 
• Engaging families in services.
• Working with families to discern their strengths, needs, and priorities. 
• Providing 1:1 assistance to help families connect to and participate in services. 
• Accompanying parents to meetings to assure their voice is heard.
• Increasing parents’ feelings of self-efficacy.
• Reducing stigma and feelings of isolation.
• Serving as members of child and family planning teams.
• Helping families identify goals and track progress. 
• Supporting families to develop ‘informal’ networks of support. 
• Participating as the FPA in specific evidence-based treatment models.
• Empowering parents by increasing their knowledge and skills.
• Coaching in constructive self-advocacy skills.
• Coaching in effective parenting strategies.
• Initiating and supporting parent support and skills groups.

Requirements

• Must have lived experience as a caregiver to a youth that has a disability, medical and/ or mental health challenge.
• Must obtain Family Peer Advocate provisional credential through employment within 2 weeks of hire.

• Must obtain Family Peer Advocate professional credential through employment within a year of hire. 
• Must complete and maintain all continuing education at a minimum of 20 hours within 2 years for recertification. 
• Knowledge of strength-based approach to help empower families. 
• Must have an understanding of cultural family differences and values with the ability to remain non-judgmental. 
• Must have an understanding of HIPPA privacy laws and adhere to them. 
• Must be self-motivated. 
• Must have a valid NYS driver’s license with a MVR eligible for agency insurance coverage and reliable transportation.
• Must have a reliable vehicle that has passed New York State Inspection and must have proof of vehicle insurance coverage.
• Must have excellent verbal, written, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work with a diverse population of urban, suburban and rural cultures and with community members from varying socioeconomic backgrounds. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias. 
• Must be able to work regularly outside the office and in the field to engage with clients. 
• Maintains regular and steady in person attendance.

Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. 

All offers are contingent upon successful Statewide Central Registry (SCR), fingerprint clearance and possession of a valid NYS driver’s license with a MVR eligible for agency insurance coverage.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate in our employment practices due to an applicant's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, familial status, military status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression (including transgender status), predisposing genetic characteristics/genetic information or carrier status, ancestry, ethnic group identification, ethnic background, traits historically associated with race, reproductive health decision making, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. At the Mental Health Association, we believe a diverse and inclusive workforce makes the best workforce.

Benefits

Full Time Benefits include Medical, Dental, Life Benefit. Pension (employer contribution) plus Voluntary Vision, Life, AFLAC, Telemedicine (Concierge Medical), Voluntary 401K plans, EAP, generous sick, vacation, personal time, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement and much more. Plus, you get to be part of a dynamic, diverse, and supportive behavioral health organization whose mission is to "Provide education and advocacy, and to enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities."

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