Family Peer Support Specialist - Per-diem

Department:Family Peer Support

The Family Peer Advocate is responsible for delivering direct services for the Family Support Program. The Advocate provides an array of formal and informal services and supports to families caring for or raising a child who is experiencing social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community. The service is designed to allow the child the best opportunity to remain in the community and achieve the goals or objectives outlined in the child/youth’s treatment plan

“Family” is defined as the primary caregiving unit and includes a wide diversity of family structures. Family may include birth, foster, adoptive, or self-created units of people residing together with significant attachments, consisting of adults and/or children, where adults perform duties of caregiving or parenthood even if the individual lives outside the home.

New Directions’ Family Peer Support program empowers caregivers through advocacy, education, and connection. It offers individualized and group supports that strengthen family systems, promote self-advocacy, and improve access to community-based services for children and families.

New Directions 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.

$35.00 per hour
for service delivery

$15.50 per hour
for administrative tasks

Flexible schedule based on family and program needs

New Directions invests in developing future leaders through professional credentialing, supervision, and training opportunities.

Individual Family Support:

Provide outreach and advocacy to parents/guardians of youth with emotional or behavioral challenges.

Use the Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS) to assess needs, strengths, and goals.

Provide engagement, bridging, and transition support by connecting families with services, assisting with documentation, and helping to overcome barriers to participation.

Serve as a bridge between families and providers to promote respectful partnerships.

Empower families to make informed decisions regarding their supports and services.

Provide leadership opportunities and parent skill development.

Support families in transitioning out of services as they reach identified goals.

Collaboration and Documentation:

Collaborate with formal systems, service providers, and informal networks involved with the youth and family.

Maintain accurate, timely case documentation in the agency’s electronic case recording system.

Ensure confidentiality and adherence to Medicaid documentation and billing requirements.

Record group participation, attendance, and related data as required.

Conduct family satisfaction surveys as directed.

Training:

Complete Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS) training.

Attend all mandatory in-service trainings per agency, OMH, and local county requirements.

Agency Standards:

Participate in regular supervision and meetings as required.

Maintain a flexible schedule to meet family availability, including evenings.

Follow agency policies, procedures, and the Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics.

Utilize normative culture and uphold agency standards.

Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Ability to work effectively with clients, families, staff, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.

Ability to support youth with behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenges and their families.

Strong advocacy and communication skills.

Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

Valid NYS driver’s license, adequate auto insurance, and reliable transportation.

Ability to pass an annual physical for Category 1 job classification.

Compliance with…