Parent Advocate; CSEC Advocacy

Overall Function

The Parent Advocate provides peer support to parents served by the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Advocacy Program. This includes advocacy, peer support services and linkage as needed. The role implements a trauma-informed relational model to advocate and support children and youth up to age 21 who are at‑risk or victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE).

• Provide peer support to parents served by the CSEC Advocacy program and assist them to successfully engage in program services with youth and staff.
• Utilize personal and professional life experience to provide peer support to parents and caregivers served by the program.
• Access community‑based resources appropriate to the family’s needs.
• Interface with Departments of Children and Family Services, Mental Health, court systems, schools, health care providers and other community liaisons.
• Assist family with developing a comprehensive plan.
• Provide support and advocacy that are family‑centered, community and strength‑based.
• Provide 24‑hour availability and crisis intervention as needed, including weekends and evenings.
• Conduct visits to homes and other service providers to help clients achieve goals.
• Facilitate a monthly parenting support group and collaborate with team members regarding implementation and promote participation from clients.
• Provide parenting education to parents utilizing a parenting curriculum.
• Follow state laws and agency guidelines regarding child abuse reporting.
• Maintain weekly service provision requirements.
• Actively participate in administrative and clinical supervision and meetings.
• Receive feedback from children, families, community and service providers.
• Ensure accuracy in work and meet all deadline expectations.
• Maintain consistent and regular attendance.
• Follow up with supervisor in a timely manner regarding significant issues.
• Demonstrate ownership of work responsibilities by incorporating feedback, taking initiative, and interacting professionally within assigned role and adhering to agency guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality as required by Optimist, licensing, HIPAA, and other regulatory agencies.
• Follow and adhere to all field safety guidelines.
• Participate in mandatory training, in‑services and meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma/GED preferred.
• Lived experience as a parent/legal guardian of a child(ren) or youth who is a survivor of human trafficking.
• Previous Parent/Family Partner, Peer Advocate and/or Parent Advocate experience preferred.
• Previous experience working with high‑risk children and families.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Valid CA Driver’s License, automotive liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to agency’s insurance carriers.
• Good oral, written and organizational skills.
• Satisfactorily fulfill requirements for employment at Optimist, such as employment references, physical examination/TB Test, criminal record (Live Scan‑fingerprints), clearances, etc.
• All employees serve as role models for children and adolescents. Employees must be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with children, adolescents and adults who may have mental or behavioral health problems.
• Employees must demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, appropriate expression of emotions and role modeling.
• Hostility, aggression and inappropriate physical or emotional actions are not acceptable.
• All employees must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID‑19.

In accordance with CA law, the expected pay range for this CA position is posted with this position. The actual compensation may be determined based on bona fide factors such as education, experience, and other factors permitted by law.

Salary range for this position: $20.50 – $28.38 / hour

Hiring range for this position: $20.50 – $22.50* / hour

CSEC Parent Advocates with lived experience receive a $2.00 differential in base pay / hour.

Sign‑on stipend of $750 after 6 months employed.