Parent Advocate (Preventive Services)

About the Role

• Parent Advocates will support families involved with the child welfare/protective system at the time of their initial Child Safety Conference.
• Advocates will work closely with ACS, and Brooklyn and Queens-based organizations/ programs.
• Advocates, with their own personal prior lived experience of the child welfare system (qualifications below), will authentically and effectively inform and support parents; help to improve the sensitivity and practice of other child welfare professionals; and lead to positive and more equitable permanency outcomes for children and families.
• Parent Advocates help to ensure that parents understand their situation and options, the processes, roles, and responsibilities stakeholders/participants/involved parties, and promote effective communication and transparency.
• Advocates' primary involvement will be in the Initial Child Safety Conference, the start of the parent’s child welfare involvement, and will support parents, build a rapport, and help them navigate community resources and services.

The Parent Advocate will work primarily out of the ACS field offices with an expectation of some travel among the various field offices and Rising Ground Hubs.

• What You’ll Do
• Build rapport and support parents in coping with the trauma of child welfare/protective system involvement, making decisions for their families, and communicating effectively with those involved in their case.
• Work with socially, economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse groups in a mutual respectful manner using a strength base and flexible approach.
• Prepare parents and participate in Child Safety Conferences.
• Emphasize with parents the importance of involvement in planning, preparing for court dates, voicing concerns, and requesting help when needed.
• Collaborate with individuals in crisis to identify and or develop coping skills.
• Report to the Advocate Supervisor and work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with ACS field offices staff and multiple community-based service providers.
• Collaborate with other providers and community support to help families meet their needs and navigate resources.
• Coach parents to strengthen problem-solving skills while discovering their strengths, hopes, dreams, and priorities.
• Actively participate in team meetings, and supervisory sessions, including daily scheduling check-ins.