Parent Advocate (Preventive Services)

Rising Ground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

11 Paid Holidays

Paid Sick Time

Paid Vacation

Paid Personal Days

Medical – 3 plan options

Dental – 2 plan options

Vision – 1 plan option

Job summary

Rising Ground is seeking a Parent Advocate to support families involved with the child welfare system. You will work primarily in ACS field offices in New York, building rapport with parents and guiding them through conferences and service planning.

You will collaborate with ACS staff, community providers, and other stakeholders to identify resources, support decision-making, and promote transparent communication while maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma.
• Strong knowledge of community resources and services.
• Warm, enthusiastic, engaging with individuals.
• Sensitivity to trauma, stress, and healing topics.
• Excellent oral and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills for parent engagement.
• Proficient in Google searches and MS Office.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Build rapport and support parents through trauma and decision-making.
• Work with diverse groups respectfully using a strengths-based approach.
• Prepare parents and participate in Child Safety Conferences.
• Emphasize involvement in planning, courts, and seeking help.
• Collaborate with crisis interventions to develop coping skills.
• Maintain timely job-related reports and documentation.
• Complete required training and maintain a flexible schedule.
• Travel to Rising Ground sites as needed.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Community resources

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office

Google search

Fast-paced environment

Confidentiality

Parent leadership

Trauma-informed approach

Education

High school diploma

Job description

About The Role

Parent Advocates support families involved with the child welfare/protective system at the time of their initial Child Safety Conference. Advocates work closely with ACS, and Brooklyn and Queens-based organizations/programs. With their own prior lived experience of the child welfare system, Advocates authentically and effectively inform and support parents; help improve the sensitivity and practice of child welfare professionals; and promote positive, equitable permanency outcomes for children and families. Advocates help ensure parents understand their situation and options, the processes, roles, and responsibilities of stakeholders, and promote effective communication and transparency. Primary involvement is in the Initial Child Safety Conference, the start of the parent’s child welfare involvement; they support parents, build rapport, and help navigate community resources and services. The Parent Advocate works primarily out of ACS field offices with some travel among field offices and Rising Ground Hubs.

What You’ll Do

• Build rapport and support parents in coping with the trauma of child welfare/protective system involvement, making decisions for their families, and communicating effectively with those involved in their case.
• Work with socially, economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse groups in a mutually respectful manner using a strengths-based and flexible approach.
• Prepare parents and participate in Child Safety Conferences.
• Emphasize with parents the importance of involvement in planning, preparing for court dates, voicing concerns, and requesting help when needed.
• Collaborate with individuals in crisis to identify and/or develop coping skills.
• Report to the Advocate Supervisor and work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with ACS field offices staff and multiple community-based service providers.
• Collaborate with other providers and community support to help families meet their needs and navigate resources.
• Coach parents to strengthen problem‑solving skills while discovering their strengths, hopes, dreams, and priorities.
• Actively participate in team meetings and supervisory sessions, including daily scheduling check‑ins.
• Maintain accurate job‑related reports and documentation and submit them on a timely basis.
• Complete assigned training as required.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Your Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma.
• Strong knowledge of community resources and services.
• Warm, enthusiastic, and able to engage and positively impact individuals.
• Someone who has a sincere appreciation for people and how they are each uniquely motivated.
• Strong interpersonal skills to assist with parent engagement and are geared towards working sensitively on topics involving trauma, stress, and healing.
• Good oral and writing skills.
• Computer skills conducting Google searches and using Microsoft Office.
• Skilled at working in a fast‑paced environment on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Passion for parent leadership and preventing child welfare involvement.
• Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to work in‑person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
• Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required).
• Able to uphold the mission and values of Rising Ground.
• Ability to travel within the community and conduct visits.

Position Type / Expected Hours Of Work

Per‑Diem. Monday – Friday 9:30‑2:30 pm and/or 11‑4 pm. May be requested to work extended hours due to conferences. Other locations: Brooklyn/Queens.

Work Environment

Office / Field.

Supervisory Responsibility

No

Benefits Offerings

• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Personal Days

Insurance Coverage

• Medical – 3 plan options
• Dental – 2 plan options
• Vision – 1 plan option