Children's Mobile Crisis Family Advocate

VNS Health seeks a Family Advocate for the Children's Mobile Crisis Team in New York City. This role supports children and families in behavioral or emotional crisis through rapid, community-based response. The Family Advocate conducts intake, provides emotional support, de-escalates situations, and connects families to mental health, social, and educational resources. Responsibilities include collaborating with clinicians, participating in safety and care planning, advocating with schools and community agencies, documenting services, and educating caregivers on coping skills and crisis plans, all while upholding trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care.

Responsibilities

• Respond to children's behavioral and emotional crises in home and community settings
• Conduct intake, needs assessment, and safety check-ins with families
• Provide emotional support, de-escalation, and crisis intervention to children and caregivers
• Collaborate with clinicians to develop and implement crisis and safety plans
• Coordinate referrals and link families to mental health, social, and educational resources
• Advocate for families with schools, community agencies, and service providers
• Educate caregivers on coping strategies, crisis warning signs, and follow-up care
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of contacts, plans, and outcomes
• Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and care coordination activities
• Ensure trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered practice

Required Skills

• Crisis intervention
• De-escalation techniques
• Family advocacy
• Case management
• Knowledge of children's mental health services
• Community resource navigation
• Documentation and recordkeeping
• Trauma-informed care
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
• Basic computer and EMR/data entry skills