New Directions Youth and Family Services
Family Peer Recovery Advocate
New Directions Youth and Family Services, Lockport, New York, United States
Family Peer Recovery Advocate
New Directions Youth and Family Services is hiring a Family Peer Recovery Advocate to provide direct services to families caring for children with substance use, emotional, developmental, behavioral, or co‑occurring challenges. The Advocate will use lived experience to offer outreach, support, skill development, and advocacy to strengthen families, connect them to community resources, and help children remain safely in the community.
Job Title Family Peer Recovery Advocate
Department CMHP / CFTSS
Position Summary The Advocate will provide individual and group support, collaborate with community partners, maintain accurate case records, and participate in ongoing training and professional development.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and life insurance
401k with up to 3% agency match
3 weeks of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays
Flexible Monday–Friday schedule with day and evening availability
Opportunities for training and professional development
A supportive agency culture where over 30% of staff have been with us for 10+ years
Compensation $19.00 – $19.96 per hour in the first year, with additional raises guaranteed.
Hours/Schedule Full‑time, Monday–Friday with flexibility for some evening availability.
Professional Development Opportunities Staff complete Family Peer Advocate Core Training (PEP), FANS training, motivational interviewing, and substance use‑related trainings, with ongoing education to maintain FPA or CRPA‑Family Specialty credentials.
Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities Individual Family Support
Provide outreach and advocacy to parents/caregivers of youth with substance use or behavioral health concerns
Conduct assessments using the Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS)
Support families in navigating services, overcoming barriers, and advocating for their needs
Empower families to build self‑advocacy skills and informed decision‑making
Provide skill development and leadership opportunities for families
Assist families in transitions between services or care settings
Group Family Support
Coordinate and facilitate at least two family support groups monthly in Niagara County
Arrange child care, guest speakers, and skill‑building activities for groups
Identify and train parent leaders for group facilitation
Collaboration & Outreach
Partner with LDSS, juvenile courts, schools, clinics, hospitals, and crisis services
Facilitate educational seminars on relevant topics for caregivers and community partners
Conduct outreach and distribute promotional materials for the Family Peer Recovery Advocacy program
Documentation
Maintain accurate and timely case records, progress notes, and assessments
Document group sessions, service units, and outcomes per Medicaid and agency requirements
Conduct client satisfaction surveys and discharge documentation
Training & Agency Standards
Complete and maintain FPA or CRPA‑F credentials through required training and continuing education
Attend mandatory in‑service trainings and supervision
Adhere to agency policies, normative culture, and Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Ability to connect with families through lived experience
Strong advocacy and facilitation skills
Ability to work effectively with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds
Flexibility and adaptability to meet family needs, including evenings
Strong organizational and documentation skills
Ability to collaborate with families, staff, and community providers
Qualifications
Demonstrated lived experience as a parent/caregiver who has navigated multiple child‑serving systems on behalf of a child with substance use or behavioral health needs (required)
High School Diploma, High School Equivalency, or State Education Commencement Credential (SACC or CDOS) (required; may be waived by the State with sufficient competencies and lived experience)
Certified Recovery Peer Advocate – Family Specialty (CRPA‑F) or Family Peer Advocate (FPA) credential (preferred; required within established timeframe after hire)
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet agency driving criteria (required)
Ability to comply with agency safety standards and healthy work environment practices
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable human service organization to apply.
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Other
Industries Individual and Family Services
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti‑racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
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Job Title Family Peer Recovery Advocate
Department CMHP / CFTSS
Position Summary The Advocate will provide individual and group support, collaborate with community partners, maintain accurate case records, and participate in ongoing training and professional development.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and life insurance
401k with up to 3% agency match
3 weeks of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays
Flexible Monday–Friday schedule with day and evening availability
Opportunities for training and professional development
A supportive agency culture where over 30% of staff have been with us for 10+ years
Compensation $19.00 – $19.96 per hour in the first year, with additional raises guaranteed.
Hours/Schedule Full‑time, Monday–Friday with flexibility for some evening availability.
Professional Development Opportunities Staff complete Family Peer Advocate Core Training (PEP), FANS training, motivational interviewing, and substance use‑related trainings, with ongoing education to maintain FPA or CRPA‑Family Specialty credentials.
Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities Individual Family Support
Provide outreach and advocacy to parents/caregivers of youth with substance use or behavioral health concerns
Conduct assessments using the Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS)
Support families in navigating services, overcoming barriers, and advocating for their needs
Empower families to build self‑advocacy skills and informed decision‑making
Provide skill development and leadership opportunities for families
Assist families in transitions between services or care settings
Group Family Support
Coordinate and facilitate at least two family support groups monthly in Niagara County
Arrange child care, guest speakers, and skill‑building activities for groups
Identify and train parent leaders for group facilitation
Collaboration & Outreach
Partner with LDSS, juvenile courts, schools, clinics, hospitals, and crisis services
Facilitate educational seminars on relevant topics for caregivers and community partners
Conduct outreach and distribute promotional materials for the Family Peer Recovery Advocacy program
Documentation
Maintain accurate and timely case records, progress notes, and assessments
Document group sessions, service units, and outcomes per Medicaid and agency requirements
Conduct client satisfaction surveys and discharge documentation
Training & Agency Standards
Complete and maintain FPA or CRPA‑F credentials through required training and continuing education
Attend mandatory in‑service trainings and supervision
Adhere to agency policies, normative culture, and Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Ability to connect with families through lived experience
Strong advocacy and facilitation skills
Ability to work effectively with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds
Flexibility and adaptability to meet family needs, including evenings
Strong organizational and documentation skills
Ability to collaborate with families, staff, and community providers
Qualifications
Demonstrated lived experience as a parent/caregiver who has navigated multiple child‑serving systems on behalf of a child with substance use or behavioral health needs (required)
High School Diploma, High School Equivalency, or State Education Commencement Credential (SACC or CDOS) (required; may be waived by the State with sufficient competencies and lived experience)
Certified Recovery Peer Advocate – Family Specialty (CRPA‑F) or Family Peer Advocate (FPA) credential (preferred; required within established timeframe after hire)
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet agency driving criteria (required)
Ability to comply with agency safety standards and healthy work environment practices
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable human service organization to apply.
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Other
Industries Individual and Family Services
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti‑racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
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