Family Advocate Coordinator

Family Advocate Coordinator role at Self Enhancement, Inc.

The Family Advocate Coordinator (In-Home Safety & Reunification Services Coordinator) will work with families referred by the Department of Human Services (DHS) for In-Home Safety & Reunification Services or Parent & Relative Support Services. These programs address safety issues and other concerns to ensure children can remain in safe and stable homes with their parents or return to such homes. The Coordinator will work closely with a DHS caseworker to provide assistance with child safety, system navigation, emergency placement, identifying barriers, establishing goals, accessing natural and community supports, and developing long‑term stability.

This position works a flexible forty‑hour week that may include early mornings, meal and bedtime times, evenings and weekends. It is based at the SEI Community & Family Programs building, 2205 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97211, and reports to the Child Welfare Advocacy Programs Manager.

• Short‑term intensive case management to resolve safety threats, improve parental protective capacity, develop interventions, assess change, and create action plans to address identified concerns.
• Weekly face‑to‑face interaction with all referred clients, and 24‑hour response to new referrals.
• Provide services in the family’s home during hours most likely to impact child safety.
• Attend Child Safety and Family Decision meetings, or other case‑planning discussions with DHS staff and families.
• Collaborate with DHS caseworkers using a problem‑solving approach that incorporates extended family, neighbors, and community resources.
• Deliver personal skills training to increase client capacity for parenting stability and housing stability, covering schedule management, behavior management, family communication, budgeting, job readiness, and financial planning.
• Coordinate services with other social service agencies (shelters, housing assistance, job training, financial planning, counseling, treatment, etc.).
• Maintain thorough and up‑to‑date client records per agency file requirements and prepare reports for court hearings or case‑planning meetings.
• Participate in scheduled training sessions for professional growth and attend agency staff meetings.
• Provide daily and weekly work schedules.
• Utilize networks within housing and social systems to assist clients (landlords, housing agencies, rental assistance programs, shelters, counseling services, treatment services).
• Assist and accompany clients to access eligible benefits and community resources to improve financial stability.
• Accept additional duties as assigned by management.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related field, or equivalent experience (minimum three years working with families and children).
• Demonstrated case‑management experience and skill in needs assessment.
• Knowledge of crisis, cognitive, and behavioral interventions.
• Familiarity with the housing system, preferably in Multnomah County.
• Ability to provide skills training that increases client capacity to maintain safe and financially stable homes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to immediately motivate and connect with parents.
• Excellent writing skills, high organization, and self‑motivation.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurability under SEI insurance policy.

Note:

This job description may change as programming evolves. SEI management reserves the right to amend this description at any time. Updated 10 2025.