SUMMARY DUTIES:

The Youth ACT Team serves children/youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services, at risk of entering such settings, or have not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional community-based services. The youth ACT team delivers intensive, highly coordinated, individualized services and skilled therapeutic interventions through an integrated, multi-disciplinary team approach to better achieve success and maintain the child in the home, school, and community.

The Family Peer Advocate (FPA) is a parent or caregiver who is raising or has raised a child with serious mental health concerns and is personally familiar with the associated challenges and available community resources for children and families. The FPA is an active member of the Youth ACT Team. The FPA acts as a role model, educates parents and caregivers about self-help techniques and self-help group processes, teaches effective coping strategies based on personal lived experience, teaches symptom management skills, and assists in clarifying and supporting rehabilitation, recovery, and resilience.

SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Engage the caregivers in a variety of strategies to work toward identified goals, including but not limited to: strengthening problem-solving skills; providing mentoring; engaging in community resource exploration; and providing life skills support Document progress and maintain a permanent record of activity according to established methods and procedures Practice with a person-centered, trauma-informed philosophy in alignment with the values of Greater Mental Health of New York. Help to shape the teams culture to one that promotes person-centered, recovery-focused, strengths-based service delivery. Assist in family engagement and retention activities to promote optimum involvement with the team, including helping the team to maintain a family-focused, recovery-oriented approach. Maintain appropriate professional standards. Responsible for adhering to all standards and guidelines established by applicable regulatory authorities. Participate in daily morning team meetings. Follows the established agency policies and maintains appropriate professional standards.
Due to the nature of the position, the ability to work a flexible schedule is desired. Other designated and related duties. QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be a parent or caregiver who is raising or has raised a child with serious mental health concerns and is personally familiar with the associated challenges and available community resources for children and families.
Must be eligible for the Family Peer Advocate Provisional Credential and be willing to participate in the training toward Youth Peer Advocate Professional Credential within required timeframes. Must have advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office - Excel, Word, PowerPoint and data base management. Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
Must have a valid Drivers License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier. Must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification within 30 days of hire. Must maintain pre-employment clearances by applicable regulatory clearances as required.. Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.