The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) is a community-based not-for-profit committed to recovery-focused mental health services through advocacy, community education and direct services.  We are recognized as the leader in Westchester in providing person-centered services that involve collaborating with each individual to achieve his or her goals.   

MHA facilitates 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 collaborative work. Our highly trained staff utilize evidence-based practices throughout our comprehensive array of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented services.  

Through our robust services, as well as our advocacy programs and community events, MHA is able to meet the needs of thousands of men, women, children and families each year, helping them live independent lives in the community.

Join Our Team! We have an exciting new opportunity for a Family Peer Advocate in our Youth ACT Program located in Westchester County.

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. 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. 
 
SUMMARY of DUTIES
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, assists in clarifying and supporting rehabilitation, recovery and resilience.  These services provide the support necessary to ensure 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 supports 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, the Family Peer Advocate will utilize evidence-based practices; always embracing a trauma-informed and person-centered approach. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
1.    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
2.    Document progress and maintain a permanent record of activity according to established methods and procedures
3.    Practice with a person-centered, trauma informed philosophy in alignment with the values of MHA
4.    Help to shape the team’s culture to one that promotes person-centered, recovery-focused, strengths-based service delivery.
5.    Assist in family engagement and retention activities to promote optimum involvement with the team, including helping team to maintain a family-focused, recovery-oriented approach.
6.    Maintain appropriate professional standards
7.    Responsible for adhering to all standards and guidelines established by applicable regulatory authorities.
8.    Participate in daily morning team meetings.
9.    Follows the established agency policies and maintains appropriate professional standards.   
10.    Due to the nature of the position, ability to work a flexible schedule is desired.
11.    Other designated and related duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
1.    Knowledge of the signs of psychiatric crises, engagement skills, de-escalation techniques.  
2.    Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
3.    Experience understanding family systems based on diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. 
4.    Highly organized, detail oriented, and self-motivated.

QUALIFICATIONS
1.    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.  
2.    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.
3.    Basic computer knowledge is required.
4.    Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.  
5.    Must have a valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier.
6.    Must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification.
7.    Must be and maintain clearance by the DCJS New York State Sex Offender Registry.
8.    Must be and maintain clearance by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs Staff Exclusion List (SEL) and the New York State Medicaid Exclusion List. 
9.    Must be and maintain clearance by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for instances of child abuse and/or neglect. 
10.    Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.   

MHA of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by the applicable law.

To apply, please send your cover letter and résumé by e-mail to employment@mhawestchester.org with "Family Peer Advocate" as the subject line of the e-mail. Thank you.