Public Health Ambassador-Family Connection Network

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISER CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Division/Program Summary:
The Division of Family and Child Health (DFCH) of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is charged with the creation and oversight of programs, policies, services, and environments that support physical and socio-emotional health, and promote primary and reproductive health services, health equity, social justice, safety and well-being for New York City families and children. The vision of the DFCH is that every child, woman, and family recognize their power and is given the opportunity to reach their full health and development potential. Within the DFCH, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Unit plays a key role in operationalizing this vision by supporting and promoting breast/chest-feeding, infant safe sleep practices, and home visiting services to pregnant and parenting families through the implementation of citywide coordinated intake and referral (CI&R) system.

The Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health (BMIRH) envisions a world where all people live healthy, fulfilling sexual and reproductive lives, and where all children are wanted, born healthy, nurtured, and loved. To this end, the key goals of the Bureau are to promote early childhood development, improve sexual and reproductive health, and improve the health of mothers and infants. The BMIRH Maternal and Child Health Unit (MCH) plays a key role in reaching these goals by promoting breastfeeding, infant safe sleep practices, and home visiting services to families welcoming newborn children. In 2004, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) launched the Newborn Home Visiting Program (NHVP), an effort to promote the agency’s Take Care New York goal of “Having a Healthy Baby.” The program offers home visits to families with a new infant to facilitate the adjustment to parenthood, assure a safe living environment for families, provide topic-specific education, and identify health and social issues that require referral to community-based services. Home visiting programs have demonstrated beneficial impacts on early childhood health and development beginning in infancy.

The NFHV builds on the evidence of existing home visiting programs--the Newborn Home Visiting Program (NHVP), By My Side Birth Support Program (BMS) and Nurse Family Partnership. The program will be delivered by Public Health Advisors, Doulas, and community partners once fully operational. This Initiative incorporates a strong mental health and chronic disease focus, including screening for diabetes, hypertension, maternal depression, and anxiety, along with referrals to needed services. The program will be delivered by Public Health Advisors, Doulas, and community partners once fully operational. The Integrated Model incorporates a strong mental health and chronic disease focus, including screening for diabetes, hypertension, maternal depression, and anxiety, along with referrals to needed services. A subset of families visited will be offered labor and delivery support by a certified doula. The goal is to improve maternal and child health and well-being outcomes.

In 2017, New York City had an IMR of 4.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. In the last 10 years, NYC’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has improved 9.7%. However, the mortality rate remains three times higher for non-Hispanic black New Yorkers as compared to non-Hispanic whites. Once fully operational the program could offer over 16,000 families the program annually. Since implementation, NFHV has engaged over 10,000 families.

We are seeking a candidate who is able to inspire, influence and enable others to achieve a specific mission and meet program goals.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensure client referrals received through the FCN include all required information and are appropriately assigned to Public Health Navigators.
- Support Provider Liaison Team to identify and track potential referral partners.
- Identify community resources that support women and families.
- Share and track correspondences sent to clients, partners and potential stakeholders.
- Support Public Health Navigators to conduct health education screenings on maternal and infant health topics.
- Conduct follow-up calls to eligible families to assess client satisfaction and obtain additional information as appropriate
- Collect and enter data; monitor, review, and manage case assignments.
- Support the Team Leaders and staff prepare for community events.
- Monitor incentive inventory and update Program tracking accordingly.
- Participate in Program-sponsored events (e.g., recruitment activities, health fairs, stakeholder trainings) and assist senior management in other assignments.

Why you should work for us:

- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment to Equity:

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISER - 51191