PARENT Advocate

Description

The Parent Advocate supports parents with children in foster care to understand and navigate the foster care system, make decisions for their families, remain hopeful, and address family challenges so that they can accomplish their goal of reunification.

Case Planning Supervisor

N/A

• Build relationships and support parents in coping with the trauma of foster care involvement, making decisions for their families, communicating effectively with those involved in their case, and maintaining relationships with their children during foster care placement.
• Prepare parents and participate in Family Team Conferences including but not limited to Transitional, 20‑Day, Six‑Month Service Plan Review, Trial Discharge and Final Discharge conferences.
• Report to the Case Planning Supervisor and work alongside case planners.
• Collaborate with the Co‑Parenting Facilitator and all service providers directly responsible for care outcomes.
• Be trained by Rise as part of a group of newly hired parent advocates focused on healing and self‑care, building knowledge of child welfare law, policy and practice, and creating an ongoing support and advocacy network.
• Learn to use Rise’s TIPS handouts and resources to inform and support parents.
• Contribute to defining and achieving success for the effort to build effective and meaningful roles for parent advocates in foster care agencies.
• Recognize and celebrate parents’ progress toward reunification.
• Encourage parents to engage in supportive interventions that will strengthen their families.
• Help families navigate resources.
• Coach parents to strengthen problem‑solving skills while discovering their strengths, hopes, dreams, and priorities.
• Support and supervise family time between parents and children, as well as siblings and other significant resources as needed; provide transportation as needed.
• Complete ongoing documentation in Connections within seven business days of the event date.
• Partner with the case planning team on completion of Permanency Hearing Reports and court documents as it pertains to the Case Aide’s communication, contact, and collaboration with the family.
• Support families through the Public Assistance process, PATH process, and provide referrals as needed.
• Attend all interdisciplinary team meetings and actively provide information regarding services being provided to the parent.
• Fulfills duty of Mandated Reporter, reporting any suspected instances of child abuse or maltreatment.
• Meet with the Supervisor one‑on‑one on a consistent basis to discuss safety and permanency issues of the caseload.
• Communicate and work effectively with SCO foster care support staff and external partners, including case planners, socio‑therapists, Fair Future Coaches, education specialists, medical and mental health staff, NYC Children’s Services, schools, consultants, and other relevant parties.
• Adhere to SCO’s personnel policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Previous personal experience being impacted by the child welfare system as a parent (e.g., having had a child placed in foster care or a court‑ordered supervision case). Prior child welfare involvement, such as personal experience with child welfare investigations, may also qualify, provided cases are closed for at least one year.
• High School Diploma (Associate’s degree preferred).
• Approved background clearances and fingerprinting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft Office.
• Bilingual abilities are strongly encouraged.
• Knowledge of local welfare services is a plus.

• Be a team player and maintain a constructive, cooperative, and positive atmosphere.
• Demonstrate commitment to the Agency’s mission and values.
• Empathize and provide quality services to children and families with histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
• Work closely with children, families, and staff from diverse cultural, religious, and socio‑economic backgrounds.
• Engage with individuals who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or who are exploring or disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Hold a strong belief in people’s ability to grow and change, forging mutually respectful partnerships with persons served and their families.
• Be flexible in working extended hours or irregular schedules in response to program needs; willing to travel between EFFC offices and other agency sites as required.
• Maintain the helping role of a practitioner, setting limits and intervening appropriately when necessary.

SCO Family of Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.