Parent Advocate: Bronx Parent Support Program

The Parent Support Program is designed to educate and support families of juvenile probationers and juvenile detainees. The program seeks to decrease the family's reliance on law enforcement consequences by referring families to services that can help keep their young person safe and in the community. Families of detainees will be supported in maintaining and strengthening relationships with their loved-ones in detention and preparing for the transition home. The Parent Coach provides peer mentorship, guidance, and referral services for parents and families. S/He will work with probation officers and case managers to engage families in service planning for their child, with the goal of increasing family engagement at all levels of the probation process.

Reports to: Program Coordinator Parent Support Services

Location: Bronx Family Court, Bronx Supreme Court (As Needed),

Horizon Juvenile Center, 560 Brook Ave, Bronx, NY 10455

Hours: 35 Hours/Week, Non-Exempt- Monday - Friday, 12pm - 8pm

Salary: $40,000-$45,000/Year

Major Duties of the Parent Coach @ Family Court:

• Meets with parents and youth who require assistance navigating various systems (e.g. mental health, Department of Education, community-based service providers) initially at the DOP Brooklyn Family Court office location.
• Participates in client's Department of Probation (DOP) Individual Action Plan (IAP), based on discussion with families in need of assistance.
• Works closely with the DOP Branch Directors, Supervising Probation Officers (SPO), Probation Officers (PO), and Customized Assistance Unit staff to help DOP identify general trends in the needs of parents/caregivers being served and assist parents/caregivers as appropriate.
• Provides support to parents/caregivers during Probation weekday business hours (9am-5pm), including attending court appearances with youth's family to offer support and ensure that the parent/caregiver understands what transpired in court.
• Provides/Co-facilitates, with DOP staff, group-based parent support services, such as evening information sessions and parent support group sessions.
• Coordinates provision of group-based family support sessions, co-facilitated by DOP staff and parent coaches at DOP's Brooklyn Family Court office.
• Provides a schedule of sessions/activities to the DOP office liaison.

• Greet and welcome parents and families at all visiting days/hours in order to promote positive experiences when visiting their loved one.
• Host a monthly support group for caregivers of detainees.
• Assist parents/caregivers in preparing for the youth's return home, including helping to identify school and support resources.
• Provide surrogate visits to detainees when families are not able to visit.
• Organize and host periodic celebrations and special gatherings that promote family unity.

• Encourages parents/caregivers to actively participate in the case planning throughout the youth's delinquency case.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Meets regularly with relevant DOP/DFYJ staff.
• Provides information about viable neighborhood-based resources to ensure that youth, parent, and family needs are adequately addressed.
• Engages the parent/caregiver to listen to the concerns that place their young person at risk of continued involvement in the justice system.

• High school Diploma/ GED required. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of one year's experience in child welfare or related systems desirable.
• Good basic knowledge of resources for families in Brooklyn.
• Personal experience with the probation system and/or juvenile justice system preferred.
• Ability to relate to a wide variety of program participants and staff.