Bilingual Family Advocate

The Family Advocate provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and victim-centered services to children and non-offending caregivers served by First Light Child Advocacy Center across its 10-county service area.. The Family Advocate supports families throughout the forensic interview, medical, investigative, and follow-up process; helps families understand what to expect; identifies barriers to safety and healing; and connects families with appropriate community resources. Services and documentation must be provided in accordance with applicable grant requirements, including VOCA guidelines.

• Provide immediate and ongoing support to child victims and non-offending caregivers, including crisis intervention as needed.
• Welcome and orient children and non-offending caregivers to First Light, process and help families understand the roles of the forensic interviewer, medical provider, law enforcement, Child Protective Services (CPS), prosecution, and other MDT partners.
• Assess the needs of children and non-offending caregivers and provide individualized information, referrals, and assistance accessing services, including trauma-focused mental health treatment, medical care, basic needs, safety resources, transportation, victim assistance, and other community supports.
• Provide information about crime victims' rights, available victim services, and assist families in accessing those resources.
• Provide timely follow-up with children and non-offending caregivers to support continuity of services, identify emerging needs or safety concerns, and help ensure a coordinated service response.
• Perform intake functions for referrals from law enforcement and CPS, including gathering relevant background information and coordinating forensic interviews and medical evaluations.
• Assist with coordination and tracking of CAC-led intakes; contact caregivers and professionals as needed and help ensure a coordinated response between law enforcement and CPS.
• Collaborate with DHHS, law enforcement, medical professionals, forensic interviewers, mental health professionals, prosecutors, victim service providers, and other community partners throughout the investigation and service-delivery process.
• Participate in investigative and/or treatment MDT meetings, case review, internal case staffing, and other team meetings as needed; provide appropriate updates regarding family needs, services, and case information.
• Help families obtain information regarding the status of the investigation and prosecution and connect them with the appropriate MDT professional for case-specific questions.
• Provide support related to the court process when requested or appropriate, including referrals, court orientation, accompaniment, or assistance connecting families with prosecution-based victim assistance services.
• Maintain accurate, objective, fact-based, clear, concise, and timely case documentation in First Light Child Advocacy Center databases and other required systems.
• Maintain and report accurate program and service data required for grant compliance, funder reporting, quality improvement, and program evaluation.
• Provide information and referrals to community members who contact First Light with concerns regarding possible child abuse or neglect, consistent with agency protocol.
• Provide culturally responsive and accessible services to all families and work to identify and reduce barriers to participation in services.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect client information in accordance with agency policy, applicable law, grant requirements, and professional standards.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

• Bachelor's degree preferred in social work, criminal…