Family Advocate

Our Mission:

Since 1967, Odyssey House has been providing innovative services and programs to a broad population of individuals and families struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. Odyssey House helps New Yorkers of all ages—and across all five boroughs—beat drugs and alcohol with highly individualized treatment programs. Odyssey House provides high quality, holistic treatment impacting all major life spheres, including: psychological, physical, social, family, educational and spiritual in order to support personal rehabilitation, renewal and family restoration.

If that sounds different than other treatment programs, you’re right. Because Odyssey is where recovery gets real.

In addition to competitive salaries, Odyssey House offers:

• A 35-hour work week (as opposed to a 40-hour work week)
• Vacation Plan and Holiday Schedule
• Life Insurance
• Medical Insurance (Two Plans)
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Additional Insurance Coverages (hospitalization, accidental, critical illness coverage)
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Reimbursement Account
• 403(b) Plan
• Corporate Counseling Associates (CCA) EAP benefit
• Ability Assist Counseling Services (through The Hartford)
• Commuter Benefits
• Educational Assistance Programs
• Special shopping discounts through ADP Marketplace and PlumBenefits
• RUFit?! Fitness Program
• Legal Assistance 
• Pet Insurance
• Optum Financial Service through ConnectYourCare
• Benefit Advocacy Center through Gallagher

 Salary Range: $45,000.00-55,000.00 

MAJOR FUNCTIONS: 

The Family Advocate assists Family Center clients in complying with all criminal justice and child welfare obligations. The Family Advocate attends all child welfare proceedings, provides written court letters, and assists the client with the completion of established goals and treatment planning. 

This position will consist of maintaining consistent referral sources and ensuring appropriate systems of communication exist with each referent from the criminal justice and child welfare systems. The Family Advocate will be the point person for these systems and will troubleshoot any issues, both internally and externally, with the referent system. The position includes outreach efforts and the establishment of new business opportunities. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Attend all child welfare proceedings including safety conferences, custody hearings, etc. 
• Coordinate with Odyssey House personnel to obtain relevant information regarding clients referred to by the criminal justice and child welfare systems. Information may include treatment updates, toxicology reports, upcoming court dates and other requested information. 
• Complete accurate and informative letters to the criminal justice and child welfare systems to update the referral sources as to the progress of their assigned consumer. 
• Troubleshoot all areas and systems of concern relative to Odyssey House’s communication with the criminal justice and child welfare systems. 
• Attend external meetings relevant to the criminal justice and child welfares systems and conduct site visits and presentations for current and potential new business. 
• Conduct pre-screen interviews both on and off site. 
• Prepare, file, and submit monthly progress, rosters, retention and reports as needed. 
• Communicate and coordinate with other clinical teams within the Odyssey House continuum.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and case conferences. 
• Attend all required in-service training seminars. 
• Other relevant duties as required. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Bachelor’s Level Degree in Criminal Justice or Health Service field with at least one (1) year of experience working in a criminal justice, child welfare or social services setting required. 
2. OASAS QHP status (LCSW, LMSW, LMHC, CRC, and/or CASAC) preferred. 
3. Knowledge and experience working with the City and State Child Welfare system is preferred. 
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
5. Proficiency with developing and maintaining business relationships. 
6. Proficiency with computer operation (Microsoft Word, Excel, Electronic Health Record and Outlook programs). 
7. Must be able to work a flexible schedule.

Odyssey House is an equal opportunity employer maintaining a non-discriminatory policy on hiring of its personnel. Odyssey House, and its operational divisions, will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or citizen status in all employment decisions including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, training, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.