Family Peer Advocate

Endeavor Health Services; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and company-paid eye/

401(k) with employer contribution

PTO, sick time, 10 paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted pet insurance

Student loan forgiveness eligibility

Job summary

Endeavor Health Services is seeking a Family Peer Advocate to empower families navigating behavioral health resources in New York. The role leverages lived experience to support parents and guardians while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

You will identify family needs, facilitate support activities, and connect families to education and community services, promoting resilience and stability in the community.

Qualifications

• Life experience advocating for the needs of a child within systems such as mental health and education as a parent or guardian (NYS requirement).
• Verbal and written communication skills are necessary for advocacy, facilitating groups, and writing reports.
• Knowledge of community resources and familiarity with the child mental health system.
• Valid NYS driver license and access to a vehicle for community visits.

Responsibilities

• Attends conferences and meetings with parents to assist them in accessing services.
• Identifies problems that prevent families from accessing services and collaborates with providers to develop alternatives.
• Links families with school and community services.
• Supports families in adjusting to new services.
• Develops and implements activities to involve parents and families.
• Conducts Parent and Family Support Groups.
• Assists in developing and implementing consumer satisfaction measures for families.
• Gathers input and feedback from families.
• Monitors and records all contacts and services delivered.
• Ensures all required forms and documentation are completed.

Skills

Empathy

Advocacy

Communication

Public speaking

Job description

Join our team as a Family Peer Advocate, where your personal experiences and empathetic approach will help empower families!

This position is part of a multidisciplinary team that identifies and implements strategies to effectively reach out to parents of children with serious emotional disturbances and/or at risk for such disturbances. In this vital role, you will use your personal experiences and knowledge to support families navigating the behavioral health system. Your empathetic approach and advocacy skills will empower families to access resources and build resilience, contributing to their overall well-being and success.

Life experience with advocating for the needs of a child within systems such as mental health and education as a parent or guardian is a NYS requirement for this position.

The Family Peer Advocate works with staff to meet parents, identify and survey the needs of families, assist in developing and facilitating parent support groups and other activities, and serves as an advocate for both specific and general parent needs.

The Family Peer Advocate must possess the knowledge and skills to effectively advocate for the needs of parents and families, possess knowledge of community resources, have the ability to communicate well with others, and effectively network with community organizations.

What You’ll Do

• Attends conferences and meetings with parents to assist them in accessing services
• Assists in identifying problems that prevent families from accessing services and working with providers to develop alternatives
• Assists in linking families with school and community services
• Supports families in adjusting to new services
• Develops and implements activities to involve parents and families
• Conducts Parent and Family Support Groups
• Assists in developing and implementing consumer satisfaction measures for families
• Assists in obtaining input and feedback from families
• Monitors and ensures the recording of all contacts and services delivered
• Ensures that all required forms and documentation are completed

What We’re Looking For

• Life experience with advocating for the needs of a child within systems such as mental health and education as a parent or guardian is a NYS requirement for this position
• Verbal and written communication skills are necessary for advocacy, facilitating small groups, and writing reports
• Should demonstrate knowledge of resources in the community and familiarity with the child mental health system
• A valid NYS Drivers License and access to a motor vehicle to make community visits

Compensation and Benefits

• Medical, dental, and company-paid vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability
• Optional short-term disability and additional life/AD&D coverage
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Generous PTO, sick time, and 10 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted pet insurance
• Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Why Join Endeavor?

You’ll be part of a mission-driven agency committed to supporting individuals during high-risk transitions and helping them build lasting stability in the community. We prioritize teamwork, professional growth, and meaningful work that directly impacts people’s lives.

Endeavor Health Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of fairness and respect. We welcome prospective employees from various 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 with which we work in partnership.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.