Parent Advocate

FUNCTION OF THE POSITION: The Parent Advocate supports parents with children in foster care to understand and navigate the foster care system, make decisions for their families, remain hopeful, and address family challenges so that they can accomplish their goal of reunification.

REPORTS TO:  Case Planning Supervisor

SUPERVISES:  N/A

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build relationships and support parents in coping with the trauma of foster care involvement, making decisions for their families, communicating effectively with those involved in their case, and maintaining relationships with their children during foster care placement.
• Prepare parents and participate in Family Team Conferences including but not limited to Transitional, 20 Day, Six Month Service Plan Review, Trial Discharge and Final Discharge conferences.
• Report to Case Planning Supervisor and work alongside case planners.
• Collaborate with Co-Parenting Facilitator and all service providers directly responsible for care outcomes.
• Be trained by Rise as part of a group of parent advocates newly hired to work in foster care agencies, with a focus on healing and self-care; building knowledge of child welfare law, policy and practice; building relationships for support and mentorship with other advocates; and creating an ongoing support and advocacy network.
• Learn to use Rise's TIPS handouts and resources to inform and support parents.
• Contribute to defining and achieving success for this effort to build effective and meaningful roles for parent advocates in foster care agencies.
• Recognize and celebrate parents' progress toward reunification.
• Encourage parents to engage in supportive interventions that will strengthen their families.
• Help families navigate resources.
• Coach parents to strengthen problem-solving skills while discovering their strengths, hopes, dreams and priorities.
• Support and supervise family time between parents and children, as well as siblings and other significant resources as needed. Provide transportation as needed.
• Complete ongoing documentation in Connections with 7 business days of the event date.
• Work in partnership with the case planning team on completion of Permanency Hearing Reports and court documents as it pertains to the Case Aide's communication, contact, and collaboration with the family.
• Support families through the Public Assistance process, PATH process, and provide referrals, as needed.
• Attend all interdisciplinary team meetings and actively provide information regarding services being provided to the parent.
• Fulfills duty of Mandated Reporter, which entails reporting any suspected instances of child abuse or maltreatment.
• Meet with Supervisor one-on-one on a consistent basis to discuss safety and permanency issues of caseload.
• Communicates and work effectively with SCO foster care support staff such as Case Planners, Socio-therapists, Fair Future Coaches and Education Specialists, and medical and mental health staff and with NYC Children's Services, outside medical and mental health centers, schools, consultants, other SCO programs, and all other relevant parties.
• Adheres to SCO's personnel policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous life experience being impacted by the child welfare system as a parent including having had a child placed in foster care or having had a court-ordered supervision case. Other prior child welfare involvement such as having personally experienced child welfare investigations may also qualify. Previous child welfare cases must be closed for at least one year.
• High School Diploma. Associates degree preferred.
• Approved background clearances and fingerprinting are required.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Basic computer literacy skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Bilingual abilities are strongly encouraged.
• Valid NYS Driver License required.
• Must be able to conduct home visits requiring regular travel throughout Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City.
• Knowledge of local welfare services a plus.

In addition, all EFFC employees should possess the following characteristics:

• Be team players. Maintain a constructive, cooperative, and positive atmosphere.
• Demonstrate commitment to the Agency's mission and values.
• Be able to empathize and provide quality services to children and families that have histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, neglect, physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse.
• Be willing to work closely with children, families, and staff from different cultural and religious backgrounds, as well as from varying socio-economic statuses.
• Work competently, compassionately and without judgment with individuals who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or may be in different stages of discovering or disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Possess a strong belief in people's ability to grow and change; forge a mutually respectful partnership with persons served and their families.
• Be flexible in their ability to work extended hours or irregular schedules in response to the program's needs. Be willing to travel between the various EFFC offices and other agency sites, as required.
• Demonstrate an ability to set limits and maintain the helping role of practitioner, as well as to intervene appropriately.