Family Peer Advocate I or II - Residential Treatment Programs - Crestwood

Job Summary

The Family Peer Advocate I is responsible for empowering families and assisting them in navigating and advocating within multiple child‑serving systems. This individual will support parents as they develop positive approaches and methods to meet the needs of youth and their families, including addressing day‑to‑day needs and self‑care.

This role requires “Lived Experience” and flexibility with working hours, including evenings, as determined by family needs that arise outside of regular service hours. It is a full‑time (40 hours) position with a schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Flexibility for some nights and weekends may be required based on client need.

• Provide informational and educational support on system navigation, advocacy, and rights to empower families.
• Make referrals and linkages to needed services and resources and assist with access.
• Support families in caring for and strengthening their children’s mental, physical health, development, and well‑being by teaching positive behavior strategies.
• Facilitate parent training and education to increase knowledge and skills while providing opportunities for networking with other families.
• Form and maintain relationships using effective communication and collaboration, acting as a bridge between families and providers.
• Administer assessments and help families identify gaps in services needed and assist in planning to eliminate gaps.
• Develop treatment and safety plans with parents/caregivers, supporting the family’s own identified goals.
• Promote effective family‑driven practice. Attend and/or facilitate meetings to promote family voice at all levels.
• Maintain all necessary records, forms, notifications, authorizations, reports, and summaries in client files to ensure compliance with all Federal, State, Funder, Medicaid Managed Care, and Hillside standards.
• Obtain and maintain credentials/certifications based on advocate’s role and funder requirements.
• Participate in agency and team meetings, in‑service trainings, team building activities, and volunteer on agency and community committees as needed.
• Perfrom other duties as assigned.
• Family Peer Advocate II additional responsibilities:
  • Serve as a resource to guide team performance.
  • Lead or conduct Family Peer Advocate staff training and manage projects.
  • Mentor Family Peer Advocate I staff.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1 year of “lived experience” required based on program and funder requirements.
• For NYS Office of Mental Health requirement:
  • A parent/caregiver of a child with a social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges; experience in navigating child‑serving systems to obtain services and resources.
  • Personal “lived experience” as a person with social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, or receiving services in juvenile justice, foster care, special education, or addiction recovery.
• Family Peer Advocate II:
  Minimum 18 months of related work experience required.

• Must obtain appropriate credential required for the program within 6 months of hire.
• Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for a minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.

• Act as an adult role model for children/youth/families in all behaviors including communication, hygiene, and appearance.
• Engage children/youth/families in trust‑based, productive relationships to prepare for transitions and promote independence.
• Recognize and address problems related to substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect.
• Advocate for children/youth/families to achieve the best possible outcomes; communicate reasonable expectations and facilitate achievement of results.
• Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to cultural and social variations and respect for individual differences.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations; identify and access community programs and resources as needed; understand public assistance eligibility.