About Masa
Masa partners with Mexican and Latino children, youth, and families in the South Bronx to develop strong learners and leaders who fully contribute to the larger community. We envision a community that is civically engaged, empowered, and educated. Masa’s community-led, integrated model engages the entire family, grounded in a deep commitment to strengthening literacy, leadership, and power for Mexican, Central American, and Indigenous People. Masa fosters a culturally responsive learning community in which families engage with direct service and advocacy programs to dismantle barriers to success.
About the Family and Youth Peer Support (FYPS) Program
The Family and Youth Peer Support (FYPS) Program supports and empowers parents/caregivers of children and youth (birth – age 24) who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and the children and youth themselves. This program is part of an alliance of FYPS programs throughout New York City that provide the following core services: Engagement, Bridging and Transition Support; Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy and Empowerment; Skill Development; and Community Connection and Natural Supports.
About the Family Peer Advocate
Masa is seeking a Family Peer Advocate (FPA) to collaborate with families to assess their needs and link them to appropriate resources in their community. The FPA will be a parent/caregiver of a child who has experienced social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges and has ‘lived experience’ navigating multiple child serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral healthcare needs.
The right person for this job will be excited about supporting immigrant and undocumented families, be able to build and maintain relationships with parents/caregivers, be knowledgeable in navigating child-serving systems gained through their own lived experience, be highly organized, and maintain professionalism.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support parents/caregivers with navigating child-serving systems to obtain the necessary support, services and resources for their child(ren) to be successful in their mental and emotional well-being
- Create a service plan with parents/caregivers and support them in achieving the goals outlined in the service plan through group services, individual one-to-one services that include building self-advocacy skills and meeting preparation for upcoming appointments, filling out applications and paperwork and making referrals
- Facilitate parenting classes, workshops and support groups for parents enrolled in the program.
- Organize social and recreational activities organized for parents and families.
- Conduct outreach to recruit parents/caregivers and families to the FYPS program through street outreach, tabling, panels, and attending community events
- Raise awareness of community needs and issues that become evident as you conduct outreach, meet with families and youth, and attend meetings
- Work in collaboration with the Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) to provide a holistic approach to supporting children, youth and families
- Research services available for undocumented families and youth that will support their individual and family goals
- Work with socially, economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse groups in a mutually respectful manner using a strengths-based approach
Alliance and FYPS Program Responsibilities:
- Conduct outreach, including presentations, email blasts, social media blasts, fairs and events, neighborhood canvasing
- Participate in agency and alliance community awareness events
- Attend meetings, councils, committees, and other convening bodies as identified by supervisor
- Participate in trainings, workshops, symposiums, conferences, and other events for professional development and to advance knowledge and skills around peer support, mental health, advocacy, or other areas of work related to job responsibilities
- Complete FPA credentialing within a year
- Attend 26 hours of trainings annually, as required
Administrative Responsibilities:
- Maintain, organize and file confidential family and youth records
- Receive and document referrals made by CBOs or other entities or individuals looking to refer a family, parents/caregivers, or youth in need of FYPS services
- Conduct intakes to gather information and support parents/caregivers in developing goals that meets the FYPS model
- Document all efforts, activities, and engagement with parents/caregivers in Maven and Salesforce in a timely manner
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- High School diploma or equivalent
- The Family Peer Advocate (FPA) will be a parent/caregiver of a child who has experienced social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges and has ‘lived experience’ navigating multiple child serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral healthcare needs.
- Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, both oral and written proficiency is required
- Demonstrates qualities of leadership, including knowledge of advocacy, and can positively reflect on and share his/her experiences with others
- Possess excellent judgement; attention to discretion and confidentiality
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable with computer technology and systems, including entering and tracking data and proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and google suite (google docs, google excel, and google presentation)
- Able to work flexible hours, as needed
- Bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply and those with prior experience working with families with mixed immigration statuses is a plus
- Familiarity with social service agencies in the South Bronx is a plus
- Prior experience creating and facilitating workshops is a major plus
Physical demands:
- This position is in-person at Masa’s office, and may require local travel to other settings at times (e.g. community and outreach events, etc.)
- Light to heavy (25 lbs - 40 lbs) carrying of program materials is required
- Work schedule will include late schedule to accommodate for afterschool activities for youth and frequent weekend availability
