Family Peer Advocate

Ohel Children's Home and Family Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403B retirement plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Health insurance

Onsite gym access

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

Ohel Children's Home and Family Services in Brooklyn is seeking a compassionate Family Peer Advocate to partner with families of young children. You will help parents navigate social, emotional, and behavioral challenges and connect them with resources and supports.

This full-time role offers a hybrid schedule, a competitive benefits package including a 403(b), PTO, health insurance, and access to an onsite gym.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a child with challenges.
• Complete the PEP training and begin FPA credential process within one year.
• Experience with trauma, poverty, violence or mental health challenges in families.
• Knowledge of child welfare and foster parenting preferred.
• Proficiency in Word and Excel; EHR experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one support, advocacy, and parent coaching to families.
• Empower parents by sharing lived experience and offering hope.
• Help families understand needs and navigate supports and treatment options.
• Connect families with community resources and social services.
• Build partnerships with community organizations to raise awareness.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for coordinated family-centered care.
• Support families with a culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach.

Skills

Lived experience as parent/caregiver

Trauma-informed care

Community engagement

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

PEP training & FPA credential process within 1 year

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Electronic Health Records (EHR) experience

Job description

At Ohel, we believe that families are strongest when they feel supported, connected, and empowered. We are looking for a compassionate Family Peer Advocate (FPA) to join our team and help parents and caregivers of young children navigate some of life's most challenging moments.

As a Family Peer Advocate, you’ll partner with families of children ages 0 - 5 experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges, including those involved with foster care or the child welfare system. Through advocacy, encouragement, and practical support, you’ll help families build confidence, access resources, and create brighter futures for their children.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one support, advocacy, and parent coaching to families
• Empower parents and caregivers by sharing your lived experience and offering hope and encouragement
• Help families understand their child’s needs and navigate available supports and treatment options
• Connect families with community resources, social services, and supports that strengthen family well‑being
• Build partnerships with community organizations to increase awareness of the unique needs of young children and their families
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to provide coordinated, family‑centered care
• Support families using a culturally responsive, trauma‑informed, and strengths‑based approach

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Lived experience as the parent, foster parent, adoptive parent, or primary caregiver of a child or youth with social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental challenges
• Complete the Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) training and begin the certification process to earn the Family Peer Advocate (FPA) Credential within one year of hire
• Experience working with or engaging families and youth impacted by trauma, poverty, violence, complex stressors, or mental health challenges
• Knowledge of the child welfare system and/or experience as a foster parent strongly preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with Electronic Health Records is a plus

The ideal candidate is a motivated self‑starter who thrives both independently and as part of a collaborative team. They possess excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, along with strong attention to detail and exceptional follow‑through. We offer a competitive salary and benefits, along with a flexible hybrid schedule to support work‑life balance. Position includes a competitive benefits package that includes a 403B retirement plan with employee contribution, sick and vacation paid time off (PTO) and health insurance. Free access to onsite gym included! Eligibility for all benefits is based on hours worked, employment classification, and fulfillment of applicable waiting periods and plan requirements. This full‑time position is based in Brooklyn with some travel within the New York metropolitan area.

Salary: $55,000

Equal Opportunity Employer
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