For over 100 years, HeartShare has dedicated itself to improving the lives of people needing special services and support. The HeartShare team, now 2,100 employees and growing, helps individuals develop to their fullest potential and lead meaningful and enriched lives.  

HSVS is actively seeking a Parent Advocate with a demonstrated history of working with families and a strong understanding of foster care processes and ACS mandates. The ideal candidate will leverage their firsthand experience in the child welfare system to support and advocate for parents, assisting them in reunifying with their children. 

The key responsibilities and essential duties of the Patient Advocate include the following: 

Maintains a tracking system of referrals and case assignments. Provides assistance in facilitating training in topics including but not limited to the Parenting Journey. Encourages parents' participation in Family Team Conferences (FTCS) providing reminders and other supports as warranted. Represents HeartShare St. Vincents Services at internal and external meetings. Celebrates birth parents by contributing to hosting events and activities. Maintains accessible resource materials, making them available to other HSVS staff and to parents. Documents efforts to engage parents via service plans. Provides full disclosure and all required consents to birth parents. Co-facilitates quarterly birth parent round table meetings.

Housing

Provides direct counseling, on-call assistance, intervention, negotiation and advocacy regarding birth families housing needs. Develops and maintains a comprehensive list of available housing resources. Collects required documentation, completes online applications and records data in all applicable Housing systems including the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Supportive Housing systems. Delivers completed Housing application packets to the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Accompanies parents to Housing court and to government assistance offices. Maintains all reporting requirements set by funding and/or regulatory agencies. Assist and accompany parents when shopping to purchase furniture for new apartments once children are final discharged from care.