Location: New York,NY, USA
Family AdvocateJob DetailsLevelExperiencedJob Location127 West 127th St., New York, NY 10027 - New York, NYPosition TypeFull TimeEducation LevelNoneFamily Advocate, Family Treatment & RehabAbout the ProgramIn full partnership with families & communities, Graham Windham strives to make a life-altering difference to children, youth and families affected by abuse, neglect and delinquency by providing each child we serve with a strong foundation for life: a safe, loving, permanent family and the opportunity and preparation to thrive in school and in the world. With over 400 full-time, part-time and on-call employees serving children and families in multiple programs throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem, Graham Windham provides an exciting & enriching work experience.Graham Windham s General Preventive (GP) or Beacon Ties Programs located both in Manhattan and the Bronx offer preventive case management services to families at risk of removal of children to foster care due to neglect and abuse. Risk factors for families served by the FTR program are sometimes advanced as a result of the stressors of poverty, substance use, instability and criminal justice involvement can greatly compromise a parent s capacity to care for his/her children, despite strong desires to be engaged. Our goal is to partner with families to keep them together while ensuring that children will be safely cared for in the homes.Position OverviewTo assist the unit s team in efforts to develop and promote early engagement with parents whenever a new intake is assigned within the first 30 days and to help with advocacy around resources and services offered in their communities.Duties and Responsibilities (but not limited to):EngagementBuild relationships and support parents in coping with the trauma of child welfare involvement, making decisions for their families and communicating effectively with those involved in their case.Partner with case planners to help families engage and navigate targeted resourcesPrepare parents and participate in Family Team Conferences including but not limited to ERC, Safety Conference, Service Termination Conference, Six Month Service Plan Review, Joint home visits, Administrative Meeting with Families as well as 30 / 45-day conferences, Six Month Service) and court proceedings.Encourage parents to engage in supportive interventions that will strengthen their families.Encourage parents to participate in our Family Success Interventions (Baby & Me, Visit Outreach to parents via text messages, phone calls or emails to build relationships while connecting parents to community resources as needed.Review Parent Engagement Guide with parents to acquaint parents with the child welfare processes.CoachingCoach parents to develop skills that will allow them to independently develop problem-solving skills while discovering their strengths, hopes, dreams as well as their priorities.Work in collaboration with Case planner to appropriately assess the needs of the parents in order to create measurable goals while determining what barriers could affect the desired outcomes.Facilitate bi-weekly support groups utilizing Network and Parent Caf Model, (staff to be trained in the model).Escort parents to scheduled court appearances for support, to scheduled appointments or shopping to purchase items requested by the agency.Recognize and celebrate parents whenever they make simple or significant progress service goals.Collective ApproachCollaborate and maintain effective and timely communication with team members, case planners as well as other stakeholders to ensure that the overall needs of the parents are met.Participate in routine case consultation with case planning teams in order to assure the parents are following through with their required service plan while demonstrating behavior change.Participate in joint home visits with case planners as needed to provide the required support to both parents.Assists parents in establishing structure during home visits and meeting the needs of their children by utilizing hands on teaching and modeling techniques.Ensure that the provision of services is informed by principles outlined in both the Solutions Based Casework, Parenting Journey, and Appreciative Inquiry.Professional DevelopmentAttend and actively participate in skill development training to improve the manner in which we approach the work, keep current with structural changes within the agency/child welfare.Contribute agenda items and participate in weekly supervision with assigned supervisor.Prepare parents to participants in the birth parent roundtable.Participate in policy/advocacy development and decisions.Data/DocumentationMaintain and document interactions with parents within the database (Connections).Submit monthly tracker to supervisor regarding contacts made with parents in a timely manner.Assist in eliciting feedback from parents on their experience.Required Trainings :Appreciate InquiryProtective FactorsParent CafTherapeutic Crisis InterventionVisit CoachingRise (Visiting Tips)Motivational InterviewingSBCDocumentation/ Progress notes and Connection TrainingsAddressing crisis issues and de-escalation.Motivational interviewing and professional boundaries in the workplaceFamily Coaching GuideLegal (Understanding the legal process or CW cases)Medicaid ComplianceMandated ReporterBe trained to facilitate Restorative Justice Peacekeeping Circles to support parents through weekly circles (meetings) at the agency and/or in communityFull-time position; Annual Salary: $45,172 - $47,172 + Potential to Earn Performance Based Merit Award for Eligible Staff + Comprehensive Benefits + Professional Development Opportunities.Graham Windham offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental & vision coverage, paid time off, holiday pay, retirement savings plans (defined contribution pension and 403 (b) thrift), and much more (file://gwfs1/Shared/Human Resources/Job Descriptions/Job Ads/Benefits Package)Graham Windham s Mission StatementIn full partnership with families and communities, Graham Windham strives to make a life-altering difference with children, youth and families who are overcoming some of life s most difficult challenges and obstacles, by helping to build a strong foundation for life: a safe, loving, permanent family and the opportunity and preparation to thrive in school and in the world.EEOQualificationsQualifications:Experience as a parent or primary caregiver who has navigated multiple child-serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral healthcare needs.College experience is a plus, High School Diploma, or its equivalent (GED) is preferred not required, good verbal and written communication skills are required.Knowledge of child and adolescent developmentAbility to work with and engage hard-to-reach populations, as well as families impacted by trauma, poverty, complex stressors, violence, mental health, juvenile justice and substance abuseCulturally competency and trauma-informed approachComputer literateAbility to complete paperwork in a timely manner, flexible, willing to travel, while working well with peers.Capable of traveling and working with families in their homes and communitiesKnowledge of the Preventive or foster care system preferred.A strong interest in the enhancement of the quality of life for those who depend upon agency s services.