Family Advocate

The National Children's Advocacy Center (NCAC) has an immediate need for a Family Advocate to join our team of dedicated professionals providing intervention services to children and families in the Huntsville/Madison County area. This is a full-time opportunity for an experienced case management and crisis intervention professional who is passionate about supporting the NCAC's mission to champion and strengthen the global response to child abuse.

As a member of our team in Huntsville, AL, you will provide support and advocacy to caregivers whose children are alleged to have been abused. Family Advocates work collaboratively with Child Forensic Interview Specialists, Therapists, and Medical staff as well as NCAC's partners on the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), including the Department of Human Resources, law enforcement, and the District Attorney's office.

• Providing support and advocacy to a caregiver whose children are alleged to have been abused
• Providing crisis interviews for a caregiver of an alleged child abuse victim
• Educating caregivers on abuse and neglect-related topics as appropriate
• Helping a caregiver develop workable strategies to protect the child and themselves
• Accompanying a client to meetings with community agencies
• Providing crisis support and assisting a walk-in client or concerned community member in making child abuse reports to appropriate authorities
• Performing needs assessments to recognize the need for professional interventions and making appropriate and effective referrals
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation of services including crisis interviews, follow-ups, summaries of individual and group services, and other related interventions
• Sharing critical family updates with the MDT and representing family needs during case reviews
• Providing back-up coverage to the front desk in the Children's Building
• Co-facilitating a caregiver support group with an NCAC therapist
• Assisting the Family Advocate Supervisor with monthly Lunch and Learn programs
• Participating in continuing education as per accreditation guidelines
• Other duties as assigned

• Possess working knowledge of parent-child interaction, child development materials, and the dynamics of child sexual abuse and neglect, and have the ability to apply this information in direct service to clients
• Understand and respect a variety of different backgrounds and family dynamics
• Have excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy
• Maintain working knowledge of community resources and can use them appropriately to meet client needs
• Are skilled in facilitating group trainings
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Excel in maintaining accurate and timely documentation of services
• Remain calm in stressful situations
• Possess flexibility for responding to clients in crisis during non-standard work hours
• Read, write, and speak English required; bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred

• We are passionate about making the world a better place.
• We thrive by learning, collaborating, and celebrating.
• We welcome innovative ideas and new perspectives.
• We help each other succeed.

• Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field
• Experience with and knowledge of the field of child maltreatment required
• Minimum of three years of experience working with children and/or families
• Case management and crisis intervention experience in child maltreatment cases preferred

• Must possess a valid U.S. driver's license and a registered passenger vehicle with liability insurance
• License in Social Work or related field (or license eligible) is preferred

The NCAC main campus is located in beautiful downtown Huntsville, AL. Our standard business hours are 8:00 -