Parent Advocate

As a Parent Advocate on the School Response Team at Astor Services, you will play a pivotal role in delivering resources and supportive services directly to families within school settings. You will meet with families of students in the program, assess their needs, and make connections and referrals to services such as housing programs, vocational programs, Medicaid, social security, mental health programs and more. Throughout the day, you will collaborate with teachers, school counselors, and parents to ensure each family has what they need to be successful and reach their goals. Additionally, you will research and compile a directory of resources and provide workshops for parents throughout the school year. Regular documentation and participation in team meetings will also be key components of your challenging but rewarding daily school routine. This position closely follows a school schedule and works with multiple schools during the week.

Job Responsibilities:

• Meet with parents to obtain consent for evaluation, financial information when necessary, and to assess for social determinants of health and family needs.
• Help parents acquire strategies and resources to advocate for their children on a variety of health and service related issues.
• Assist in interviews with students and parents for the purpose of eliciting information for psychosocial assessments
• Provide workshops and/or parent support groups regarding community resources and mental health issues to parents, community, and school staff.
• Assist the professional team by expediting community based referrals, follow-up, and clerical task as needed. 
• Support with filling out documentation and accompany students/parents to intake appointments when necessary to secure linkage to community based services.
• Act as liaison between school personnel, particularly school parent coordinators, PTA members, and the SRT team to create supportive environments
• Provide crisis intervention and support to students in immediate need
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the Astor electronic health record and the NYC MEDS Portal
• Participate in regular team and school meetings
• Engage with community resources to support students and families
• Contribute to school-wide initiatives that promote mental health and well-being
• Assist non-bilingual staff with translation to monolingual clients
• Must be able to climb and descend stairs without assistance in settings not in compliance with or under the mandates of the Americans with Disability Act.

What we provide:

• 4 weeks paid vacation annually.
• 13 paid holidays. 
• 4 personal days.
• 1 sick day per month, accruable to 150 days.
• Fully paid individual LTD and life insurance.
• Eligible for participation in agency medical and dental plan both individual and family, with small employee contribution.
• New longevity incentives.
• Opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children and families in need.
• Collaboration with a team of dedicated professionals in a supportive and dynamic environment.
• Room for growth and advancement within the organization.

Join Astor Services – Apply Now!

Do you meet the qualifications above? Are you ready to take the next step in your career and join a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families? We want to hear from you! Your credentials and compassion can bring about positive change for a child in need. Apply now to become a part of the Astor Services team.

Astor Services, a leading provider of behavioral and mental health services in the Hudson Valley and The Bronx, is dedicated to nurturing the emotional and mental well-being of children, adolescents, and families. With a history spanning over seven decades, we are committed to providing comprehensive care and support to help our clients thrive. 

Want to know why our team loves working at Astor? Check out our website for our employee testimonials and discover their stories!

You must have:

· High School Diploma or GED.

· Experience working with families in case management or other supportive role.

· Strong understanding of school environments and processes.

· Ability to work collaboratively with school staff, students, and families.

· Bilingual in Spanish and English required.

You should have:

· Excellent interpersonal, time-management, and organizational skills.

· Commitment to ongoing professional development and learning.

· Ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations.