Family Peer Recovery Advocate

Job Title: Family Peer Recovery Advocate

Department: CMHP / CFTSS

The Family Peer Recovery Advocate provides direct services to families caring for children with substance use, emotional, developmental, behavioral, or co-occurring challenges. Drawing on lived experience as a parent or caregiver, the Advocate offers outreach, support, skill development, and advocacy to strengthen families, connect them to community resources, and help children remain safely in the community. Services may include both one‑on‑one support and group facilitation.

New Directions Youth & Family Services’ Family Peer Support program empowers families through advocacy, peer‑led groups, and individualized support, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to navigate child‑serving systems successfully.

New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti‑racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

New Directions takes pride in offering a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees:

• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• 401k with up to 3% agency match
• 3 weeks of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays
• Flexible Monday–Friday schedule with day and evening availability
• Opportunities for training and professional development
• A supportive agency culture where over 30% of staff have been with us for 10+ years

$19.00 – $19.96 per hour in the first year

Additional raises guaranteed

Full‑Time, Monday–Friday with flexibility for some evening availability.

We invest in our employees through training, supervision, and continuing education. Staff complete Family Peer Advocate Core Training (PEP), FANS training, motivational interviewing, and substance use‑related trainings, with ongoing education to maintain FPA or CRPA‑Family Specialty credentials.

• Provide outreach and advocacy to parents/caregivers of youth with substance use or behavioral health concerns
• Conduct assessments using the Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS)
• Support families in navigating services, overcoming barriers, and advocating for their needs
• Empower families to build self‑advocacy skills and informed decision‑making
• Provide skill development and leadership opportunities for families
• Assist families in transitions between services or care settings

• Coordinate and facilitate at least two family support groups monthly in Niagara County
• Arrange child care, guest speakers, and skill‑building activities for groups
• Identify and train parent leaders for group facilitation
• Partner with LDSS, juvenile courts, schools, clinics, hospitals, and crisis services
• Facilitate educational seminars on relevant topics for caregivers and community partners
• Conduct outreach and distribute promotional materials for the Family Peer Recovery Advocacy program

• Maintain accurate and timely case records, progress notes, and assessments
• Document group sessions, service units, and outcomes per Medicaid and agency requirements
• Conduct client satisfaction surveys and discharge documentation

• Complete and maintain FPA or CRPA‑F credentials through required training and continuing education
• Attend mandatory in‑service trainings and supervision
• Adhere to agency policies, normative culture, and Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors

• Ability to connect with families through lived experience
• Strong advocacy and facilitation skills
• Ability to work effectively with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet family needs, including evenings
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to collaborate with families, staff, and community…