Family Advocate

VNS Health; New York (NY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Referral bonuses

PTO 20 days + 9 holidays

Health, Dental, Vision insurance

Employer-matched retirement plan

FSAs for healthcare and dependent care

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

VNS Health is seeking a Family Advocate for the FRIENDS Program - Children and Family Support Team. You will serve as a trusted navigator helping families access critical resources and support services at home, in clinics, and within the community.

Join a multidisciplinary team to coordinate care, document progress, and empower families through crisis intervention and ongoing support. Prior experience as a caregiver is highly valued, and bilingual abilities may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in social work, health and human services or related field preferred.
• Two or more years of equivalent and relevant experience in a social service agency or related field preferred.
• Lived caregiver experience for children with behavioral health needs may be required.

Responsibilities

• Applies lived experiences navigating care systems as a caregiver and mentor for families.
• Assists with obtaining entitlements (Medicaid, Public Assistance, SSI) and housing/utilities issues.
• Interviews clients to understand social/emotional factors affecting mental health.
• Engages families to empower service uptake and improve quality of life.
• Develops resource inventories to meet assessed client needs.
• Arranges transportation and coordinates with service providers for follow-up.

Skills

Empathy

Advocacy

Caregiver experience

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

Two+ years social service experience

Job description

Overview

VNS Health Family Advocates embody our core values of Empathy, Integrity, and Agility by helping children and their families access life changing resources whether it's basic needs of housing and public assistance or community resource programs that support social emotional wellbeing. This role draws on lived experience to guide others through challenging times. Family Advocates are trusted navigators of complex systems that help VNS Health clients live and heal at home surrounded by their family and community. VNS Health provides vital client-centered behavioral health care to New Yorkers most in need, across all stages of life and mental well-being. We deliver care wherever our clients are, including outpatient clinics, clients' homes, and the community. Our short- and long-term service models include acute, transitional, and intensive care management programs that impact the most vulnerable populations, from children, to adolescents, to aging adults. As part of our fast-growing Behavioral Health team, you'll have an opportunity to develop and advance your skills, whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional.

What We Provide

• Attractive referral bonus opportunities
• Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 20 days of paid time off and 9 company holidays
• Health insurance plan for you and your loved ones, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability
• Employer-matched retirement saving funds
• Personal and financial wellness programs
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care
• Generous tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees
• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement
• Internal mobility, CEU credits, and advancement opportunities
• Interdisciplinary network of colleagues through the VNS Health Social Services Community of Professionals

What You Will Do

• Applies mutually shared and lived experiences navigating the systems of care as a caregiver. Serves as a role model, advocate, and mentor for children and families
• Assists with obtaining and maintaining clients' entitlements, including Medicaid, Public Assistance, SSI as well as assisting with problems related to housing or utilities
• Interviews clients and significant others, when appropriate, in order to obtain personal histories and to understand the social and emotional factors related to the client's mental health problems
• Participates in frequent active engagement with families to engage them in receiving services and assists in empowering them to take the steps necessary to maximize their quality of life
• Develops inventory of resources that will meet the clients' needs as identified in the assessment process
• Advocates for and assists clients in utilizing adjunctive community resources. Arranges transportation and accompanies clients to appropriate facilities/agencies, as necessary
• Provides linkage, coordination with, referral to and follow-up with other service providers. Monitors appointments medical facilities, social service agencies or other providers of concrete services
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to discuss care needs and identify solutions to support clients/consumers/members
• Attends planning meetings with service providers to coordinate service plans
• Initiates written (including clinical and progress notes) and verbal communications, and ensures that all patient record keeping is in compliance with agency, state, city and federal requirements
• Participates in agency and community programs and education, as requested
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, staff meetings, quality assurance meetings, and supervision meetings as required

About the Program

FRIENDS Program - Children and Family Support Team (CFST)

The FRIENDS Program provides crisis intervention, case management, and family support services to children and adolescents experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges.

Why Join This Program:

Support children and families during critical moments and help build stronger foundations for long-term success.

Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid driver's license (i.e., license matching state of residence) required
• Credentialed family peer advocate preferred

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in social work, health and human services or a related field preferred
• Two or more years of equivalent and relevant experience in a social service agency OR an equivalent combination of the education and experience preferred

Work Experience

• Minimum of one year of experience in a mental health or social service setting with emphasis on family support services and/or family psycho-education required
• Lived experience as a caregiver for children with behavioral health needs in accordance with the New York State Office of Mental Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. required
• Bilingual skills may be required as determined by operational needs

Pay Range

USD $20.98 - USD $26.23 /Hr.

About Us

VNS Health has been committed to meeting the needs of New Yorkers for over 130 years. We're one of the largest nonprofit home- and community-based health care organizations in the country, and today, more than 11,500 team members work together to make a difference in the lives of more than 99,000 patients and members on any given day.