Family Advocate

Community Access; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Access in New York City seeks a Family Advocate to engage and support families in supportive housing programs. You will work with the head of households and families to promote recovery, connect to services, and build community networks.

The role involves leading family-focused groups, providing individual support, and organizing parenting workshops. Strong communication, timely documentation, and the ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Be a certified Family Peer Advocate or able to obtain certification within 18 months of hire.
• Parent with experience navigating human service systems for families and children, including behavioral health and homeless services.

Responsibilities

• Provide engagement and comprehensive support to families in Community Access’ housing programs.
• Lead group activities and parenting support workshops on a monthly cadence.
• Complete assessments and service plans on time and document notes within 48 hours of meetings.
• Conduct monthly in-apartment visits and ensure 40 hours of direct service work per month.

Skills

Communication skills

Conflict mediation

Time management

Teamwork

Bilingual Spanish

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Community Access was founded in 1974 to provide housing and support for people being discharged from psychiatric institutions. Today, we are one of the leading providers of supportive and affordable housing in New York City, and the originators of an integrated housing model which has become a best practice nationally: affordable housing where families live alongside people living with mental health concerns. Our staff work daily to support thousands of New Yorkers through supportive and affordable housing, peer-driven residential crisis support programs, training, advocacy, supported education, mobile treatment and other healing-focused services.

Program/Department Description

The Housing department provides permanent and affordable supportive housing for individuals living with mental health concerns and low-income community residents and families, as well as licensed transitional residential programs for individuals moving from institutions into the community. Services are geared towards assisting people in maintaining their housing and moving forward with their lives in stable community-based environments.

Position Overview

The Family Advocate provides engagement and comprehensive support services to families who are living in Community Access’ supported housing programs. The Family Advocate supports the head of the household and the entire family, using a person/family-centered model that supports them in maintaining their housing and developing and reaching personal and familial goals that could include but are not limited to furthering their recovery, accessing community-based treatment and support services, connecting to community, family and social support networks, and reaching educational or vocational opportunities. Family Advocates are responsible for providing individual support as well as community building group activities and parenting support related workshops.

Key Performance Indicators

All key performance indicators below are expected to be met fully.

• Facilitate a minimum of four groups per month focusing on family support, parenting skills development and/or community building. This could be either four different groups or two different recurring groups.
• Ensure that all services, follow- up and documentation are completed on time including:
• All assessments and service plans are completed on time.
• Complete at least two service plan linked notes for all families on assigned caseload, entered within 48 hours of the meetings.
• Ensure monthly in-apartment visits for all families on assigned caseload.
• Consistently document 40 hours of direct service work each month.

Job Qualifications

• Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) required; bachelor’s degree in related field preferred – work experience within field may be substituted for degree.
• Be a certified Family Peer Advocate or able to get this certification with 18 months of hire.
• Qualified candidates must be a parent with experience navigating human service systems for families and children, including behavioral health, education, child welfare and homeless service systems.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Be creative and flexible.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Be skilled in conflict mediation/negotiation and have an assertive approach to problem solving.
• Must be fingerprinted and cleared through a background clearance process.
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking, preferred. Ability to speak other relevant languages, dependent on specific needs of program participants.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as having a personal experience using mental health services. www.communityaccess.org