FAMILY PEER ADVOCATE (SERVICE PROVIDER)-CFTSS

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a bridge between families and service providers, supporting a productive and respectful partnership by assisting the families to express their strengths, needs and goals.
• Connect families with appropriate services and supports.
• Supporting and assisting families during stages of transition which may be unfamiliar (e.g. placements, in crisis, and between service systems etc.).
• Promote continuity of engagement and supports as families’ needs and services change.
• Promote self-advocacy, self-efficacy, and empowerment in families.
• Assist families to identify and set goals and short term objectives.
• Help families to develop parenting skills.
• Assist families to enhance community connections and natural supports
• Services are delivered in a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner.
• Attend required meetings and trainings.
• Knowledge and adherence to agency and regulatory bodies’ standards of practice.
• Ensure delivery of services as outlined by treatment plan.
• Continuous monitoring that family choice and voice is present in service delivery.
• Development and updating of treatment plans, including obtaining medical consenter signatures.
• Obtaining consents and enrollment documents for newly enrolled children/youth.
• Attend monthly waiver service provider meetings to stay current on practices and protocols.
• Submit progress notes, treatment plans, expense logs, and service provider logs within set forth-required timeframes.
• Report incident(s) to supervisor upon discovery.
• Maintain open communication with other service providers (e.g., Care Manager) to report on child/youth’s progress and identify any potential barriers and referrals.
• Setting of Service Provision:
• FPS can be provided in the home of the youth or a community setting.
• Delivery of services in individual and/or group modality.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Family Peer Support will be delivered by a New York State Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA).
• A FPA may obtain a provisional credential that will allow services they provide to be billed if the applicant has:
  1. Demonstrated “lived 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.
  2. A high school diploma, high school equivalency preferred or a State Education Commencement Credential (e.g. SACC or CDOS). This educational requirement can be waived by the State if the person has demonstrated competencies and has relevant life experience sufficient for the peer credential.
  3. Complete Level One of the Parent Empowerment Program Training for Family Peer Advocates or approved comparable training.
  4. Submit two letters of reference attesting to proficiency in and suitability for the role of a Family Peer Advocate (FPA).
  5. Agree to practice according to the Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics. An FPA with a Provisional Family Peer Advocate Credential must complete all other requirements of the Professional Family Peer Advocate credential within 18 months of commencing employment as a FPA.

OR

• Family Peer Support will be delivered by a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) with a Family Specialty.
• 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 be cleared by the NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search.
• Must be cleared by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for instances of child abuse and/or neglect.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Prior to Service Delivery:
• Orientation
• Mandated Reporter Training (Available in Orientation and via the LMS)
• Completion of Level One and Level Two of the Parent Empowerment Program Training for Family Peer Advocates or approved comparable training. Contact Families Together of NYS (www.FTNYS.org) or CTAC (www.ctacny.org) for detailed training requirements

• Family Peer Support will be delivered by a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) with a Family Specialty. Complete a minimum of 46 hours of content specific training, covering the topics: advocacy, mentoring/education, recovery/wellness support and ethical responsibility. For more information on the CRPA-F: www.asapnys.org/nycertification-board/