Overview
Rising Ground
Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in downtown Brooklyn.
Benefits
At Rising Ground, we encourage everyone to live a healthier life. When you enroll in health care benefits - medical, dental, and vision care, you and your family can take advantage of each plan's preventive services, which will help everyone to stay well. Another way to remain healthy is to eat right and keep active. Ultimately, we all benefit when we make the right choices, whether through diet and exercise or health care services. You can also take advantage of other important benefits, including life and accident, disability benefits, the retirement savings plan, and the employee assistance program.
Responsibilities
Position Details:
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. There also will be office space within Rising Ground's Brooklyn and Queens offices.
Responsibilities:
* 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 withACS 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.
* Maintain accurate job related/required reports and documentation and submit on a timely basis.
* Complete assigned training as required.
* Flexible Work Schedule
* Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Requirements:
* High School diploma or the equivalent required.
* Previous life experience being impacted by thechild welfare/protective system. Experience includes but is not limited to the following: as a parent including having had a child placed in foster care, having had a court-ordered supervision case, served as a kinship foster parent; cared for a child with special needs; received preventive services; having had a child placed with a juvenile justice program; experienced intimate partner/domestic violence, participated in a fatherhood program. Other prior child welfare involvement such as having personally experienced child welfare investigations may also qualify. Previous child welfare cases must be closed for at least one year and maintaining family stability.
* A natural collaborator.
* Strong knowledge of community resources and services.
* Warm, enthusiastic, and able to engage and positively impact individuals.
* Someone who has a sincere appreciation for people and how they are each uniquely motivated.
* Strong interpersonal skills to assist with parent engagement and are geared towards working sensitively on topics involving trauma, stress, and healing.
* Good oral and writing skills.
* Computer skills conducting Google searches and using Microsoft Office.
* Skilled at working in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects occurring simultaneously.
* Passion for parent leadership and preventing child welfare involvement.
* Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
* Ability to travel throughout NYC.
* Able to uphold the mission and values of Rising Ground.