Job Description

Position Summary:

The Family Advocate for County Children’s Advocacy Center plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive support and advocacy services to child victims of abuse and their non-offending family members. As part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), the Family Advocate ensures that families receive consistent and compassionate care throughout the investigation, prosecution, and healing process.

Primary Duties and Essential Functions:

• Provide a welcoming and supportive environment for children and families at the Children’s Advocacy Center.
• Guide families through the MDT process and answer questions regarding the investigation.
• Offer crisis intervention and ongoing support to children and families throughout the investigation, prosecution, and resource connection stages.
• Educate caregivers about the impact of abuse and trauma on children and families, including strategies for mitigating effects and building resilience.
• Maintain regular contact with families to assess and address their needs.
• Conduct client intakes and develop individualized needs assessments.
• Make referrals to trauma-focused treatment providers and other specialized services.
• Collaborate with Child Protective Services (CPS), Police Department, Victim Services, and other agencies to ensure access to essential resources such as housing, protective orders, domestic violence interventions, food, public assistance, and transportation.
• Administer satisfaction surveys to families.
• Provide direct services to victims of crime, including case management, crisis intervention, court accompaniment, advocacy, CICB applications, service referrals, and support.
• Advocate for families with police, the State's Attorney, and other community resources.
• Coordinate with victim service agencies statewide and collaborate with legal and clinical staff within the agency.
• Assist in event planning for events related to victims' rights and services.
• Maintain accurate records and data entry for assigned client cases and files.
• Assist with grant reporting by ensuring data accuracy.
• Represent at meetings and outreach events, conducting presentations as needed.
• Participate in pre- and post-conference meetings with MDT investigators to ensure information sharing and coordination.
• Participate in case reviews and follow through with MDT recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with Forensic Interview staff and other MDT partners.
• Attend regular staff meetings, case conferences, and required trainings.
• Maintain current and consistent continuing education in accordance with national standards.
• Meet and network with referral agencies to create and maintain a provider network for children and families.
• Update resource provider lists for therapy and other emergency resource needs.
• Participate in weekly supervision.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Child Advocacy Center Director.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a human service-related field (psychology, human services, sociology, criminal justice, or related field) preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant work experience in lieu of a degree.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Reliable transportation.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with child victims, their families, MDT members, and community groups.
• Demonstrated cultural humility, professional ethics, and boundaries.
• Strong organizational skills to manage workload and responsibilities.
• Proficient in maintaining data, engaging with families with excellent customer service, and utilizing Microsoft Office Programs.
• Ability to work independently and maintain a flexible schedule.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changes in agency and MDT protocols.
• Clear criminal and civil background checks.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Additional Notes:

• We are committed to providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities to support your success in this role.
  

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