Join Our Team! Join us at Greater Mental Health of New York, where our mission is to promote mental wellness through advocacy, community education, and direct services. We empower individuals and families on their unique journeys to recovery, honoring their rights to self-determination, choice, and collaboration. With evidence-based practices and a focus on trauma-responsive care, our dedicated team provides comprehensive services to thousands and fosters independence and resilience within our community. If you're passionate about making a difference in mental health and creating brighter futures for individuals and families throughout the Lower Hudson Valley region, apply today!
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. These services provide the support necessary to ensure the engagement and active participation of the caregiver in the treatment planning process and support the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills. Services are delivered in a trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner. The FPA will facilitate the use of natural and community support and resources. The FPA will support recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making, and collaboration. When possible, he/she will utilize evidence-based practices; always embracing a trauma-informed and person-centered approach.
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 team’s 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.
Required Knowledge And Skills
Knowledge of the signs of psychiatric crises, engagement skills, and de-escalation techniques.
Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
Experience understanding family systems based on diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural humility.
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 Driver’s 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.
Greater Mental Health of New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Greater Mental Health of New York is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact to the Human Resources Department you may contact us via telephone at 914-345-5900.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Mental Health Care
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