Parent Support Advocate-CTTP (5945)

The House of The Good Shepherd; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The House of the Good Shepherd in Utica, NY seeks a dedicated Parent Support Advocate to provide outreach, support, and advocacy for caregivers of youth in care. The role connects families with treatment providers and coordinates with a multidisciplinary team to promote family-driven care.

Requirements include a high school diploma (advanced education preferred), a NY driver's license, and the ability to engage families through in-person and phone contacts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; some higher education preferred.
• Lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a youth with care needs.
• Valid New York State driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach, support, and advocacy to caregivers and families of youth in care.
• Serve as liaison between families and treatment providers.
• Identify family needs and connect with community resources.
• Support and empower families to participate in treatment decisions.
• Develop and co-facilitate parent/caregiver support groups.

Job description

Job Details:

Job Location: Champlin Ave - Utica, NY 13502

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $25.47 - $25.47 Hourly

Travel Percentage: Occasional

Job Shift: Day

Program Overview: Thrive Together is a short-term support program for youth ages 11-17 who are medically ready for discharge but need additional support before returning home or to the community.

Basic Function/Overall Responsibilities:

The Parent Support Advocate is responsible for providing outreach, support, and advocacy to caregivers and families of youth in care. The Parent Support Advocate acts as a liaison between families and treatment providers. Through identification of family needs and strengths, the Parent Support Advocate will work with a multidisciplinary treatment team to support the efforts of family-driven care and empower families/caregivers to become an active participant and decision maker in the treatment process.

Principal Assigned Responsibilities:

• Utilize "lived experience" to support and empower families/caregivers through treatment process.
• Act as a liaison between families/caregivers and treatment team members by helping providers identify family needs via strengths based and family-driven treatment approaches.
• Provide families and caregivers with emotional support through face to face and phone contacts.
• Assist family/caregivers in understanding the roles of treatment providers and navigating systems and services.
• Work with families/caregivers to identify and connect with supportive services/resources in their home community.
• Empower families/caregivers to advocate for service needs and become involved in decision making/treatment processes.
• Identify parenting skills that need to be developed. Develop these skills through education and modeling of skills.
• Develop and co-facilitate parent/caregiver support groups.

Qualifications: Education and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum high school or equivalency diploma required; some higher education preferred.
• Minimum of one-year successful human service experience in a behavioral health setting, preferably working with children.
• Case Management experience preferred.
• Family Peer Advocate Credential required within 90 days of hire.
• Lived Experience is defined as a parent (biological/adoptive/foster) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and behavioral needs (prior to age 21) that has experience navigating child-serving systems of care on behalf of your child/youth.

Required Knowledge, Skill, Abilities and Competencies:

• Commitment to the following and embracing the Seven Commitments of our Sanctuary.
• Ability to engage in collaborative working relationships with agency staff and service providers in children's home communities.
• Ability to work independently and confidently in various communities.
• Understanding of basic needs and developmental issues of children in a way that respects individuality.
• Demonstrate knowledge of behavioral treatment, social skills and age-appropriate developmental milestones of youth.
• Demonstrate the ability to form effective relationships with youth and families.
• Strong written, verbal, and organizational skills.
• Practices infection control, including appropriate hand washing procedures.
• Valid New York State driver’s license.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The House of the Good Shepherd is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. HGS encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and those with disabilities. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access throughout the hiring process.