Parent Advocate Coordinator | S.I

Description

The Organization:

Founded in 1846 to care for the children and widows of sailors in the Port of New York, Seamen’s Society was one of the first organizations, in the US, to care for abandoned children in family settings, rather than institutions. Today, Seamen’s Society for Children and Families (SSCF) is a comprehensive nonprofit provider of enhanced family foster care services, mental and behavioral health care services, health home care management, prevention/family stabilization services, and domestic violence intervention and counseling services. The agency’s approximately 200 professionals serve over 1,200 children and 800 families in New York City.

Job Summary: 

Foster Care partners with families to deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive services that promote safety, well-being, and timely permanency. The Parent Advocate Coordinator provides leadership, supervision, and support to a team of Parent Advocates who assist birth parents in navigating the child welfare system and working toward reunification. The Coordinator ensures alignment between Parent Advocates and the Case Planning team, oversees the delivery of service referrals and follow-up supports, monitors completion of 90-day checklists for newly admitted parents, and ensures timely and accurate case documentation. The role also safeguards parents’ rights and promotes equitable, transparent service delivery. In addition, the Coordinator ensures Parent Advocates are prepared for and actively participate in key meetings and activities, including Parent-to-Parent Meetings, Transition Meetings, Family Team Conferences, and Case Planning Meetings.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provide individual and group supervision, coaching, and performance support to a team of Parent Advocates to ensure high-quality service delivery and professional development.

· Promote effective collaboration between Parent Advocates and Case Planning staff to support birth parents in achieving reunification and permanency goals.

· Monitor and oversee Parent Advocate case assignments and workloads through internal systems and the CONNECTIONS database to ensure equitable distribution and timely engagement.

· Track and monitor completion of required pre-service and ongoing training to ensure Parent Advocates maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their roles effectively.

· Participate in internal and external leadership meetings to discuss program performance, operational priorities, policy updates, and service delivery improvements.

· Ensure Parent Advocates provide support to birth parents during initial agency engagements, including Parent-to-Parent Meetings and Transition Meetings, to facilitate successful entry into foster care services.

· Oversee Parent Advocate caseload management and ensure consistent engagement with families working toward reunification.

· Monitor and ensure timely documentation of bi-monthly contacts and all required case activities in the CONNECTIONS database.

· Ensure Parent Advocates conduct meaningful, trauma-informed outreach and engagement with parents to support their adjustment to the foster care system and encourage participation in services.

· Ensure Parent Advocate participation in Case Planning Meetings, Family Team Conferences, and other critical planning forums to provide support, clarification, advocacy, and emotional regulation assistance to parents.

· Track and monitor completion of 90-day parent engagement checklists for all newly admitted foster care cases.

· Oversee the scheduling, curriculum implementation, participation, and effectiveness of weekly parent support groups.

· Support the facilitation of parent support groups and other parent engagement activities, as needed.

· Ensure Parent Advocates attend assigned family time visits to support positive parent-child interactions, encourage consistent visitation, and assist parents in addressing barriers to successful visits.

· Ensure Parent Advocates accompany and support parents in accessing services, including substance use treatment, mental health services, housing programs, educational opportunities, and court appearances, helping to promote engagement and reduce barriers to participation.

· Monitor service referrals and follow-up activities to ensure parents are connected to appropriate resources and supports in a timely manner.

· Safeguard and promote parents' rights by ensuring services are delivered in a respectful, equitable, transparent, and family-centered manner.

· Prepare reports, maintain program data, and monitor performance indicators to support quality assurance and continuous improvement efforts.

· Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Program Leadership.

Requirements

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

· Strong planning, organizational, time-management, and follow-up skills.

· Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, and customer service skills with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally.

· Demonstrated ability to supervisor, train, coach, and support staff members

· Ability to effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive information.

Qualifications/Requirements:

· Associate’s degree in social work or related human services field required.

· Two years of parent advocate experience preferred.

· Lived child welfare experience preferred.

· Driver’s license preferred.

· Due to the nature of the work environment, work hours will be based on needs of the agency and may vary.

· Seamen’s Society operates in two locations: Staten Island and Brooklyn. The position will support operations at both locations and requires the ability to travel between sites regularly.

Why Join Us?

At Seamen’s Society for Children and Families, we value our team members and are committed to providing a supportive, rewarding, and growth-oriented work environment. As part of our team, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being:

Extensive Training & Career Development – Gain hands-on experience with comprehensive training programs to enhance your skills and career growth.

Generous Paid Time Off & Holidays – Maintain a healthy work-life balance with our comprehensive PTO package, including: 13 paid holidays throughout the year, Half-day Summer Fridays to make the most of the season, Ample vacation, personal, and sick time so you can recharge and focus on what matters most. Your well-being is a priority for us. Take time to rest and recharge.

Robust Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance – Stay covered with our significantly subsidized plans designed to fit your needs.

Company paid Life Insurance & Financial Security – We offer life insurance, a generous 403(b) retirement plan (with agency contribution), and a tax-deferred annuity to secure your future.

Commuter Benefit Program & Flexible Spending Accounts – Save money on daily expenses with our commuter benefits and FSA options.

Exclusive Perks & Discounts – As part of our team, you'll gain access to Plum Benefits, the leading Corporate Entertainment Benefits provider. Enjoy exclusive discounts, special offers, and preferred seating for top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets, hotels, and more.

Employee Assistance Program – Receive confidential support services for mental health, financial advice, and personal well-being.

Internship & Referral Programs – Help build the future by mentoring interns or referring great candidates and earning incentives.

Additional Information: Seamen’s Society is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (sexual orientation, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.