Family Advocate

REPORTS TO:

Director of Intervention MDT & Family Services

Full time (40 hours), Non-exempt

The Family Advocate provides direct advocacy support services to child victims and non-offending family members. The Family Advocate monitors case progress, maintains client files and documents services provided accordingly. The Family Advocate performs the job duties according to professional ethics, maintaining a high standard of confidentiality and in line with the National Children's Alliance program standards.

The Family Advocate position is full-time at 40 hours per week typically during standard office hours, and reports to the Director of Intervention MDT & Family Services.

• During appointments at the child advocacy center, engage and establish rapport with child victims and non-offending family members.
• Provide advocacy services according to the National Children's Alliance (NCA) standards and as delineated in the CACGROC Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Child Abuse Guidelines.
• Coordinate, schedule and/or make referrals for services to be provided by team members and other providers as warranted.
• Assist families in understanding the legal system in relation to the prosecution of child abuse cases and provide proactive outreach, follow-up and accompaniment services to victims and non-offending family members throughout the investigative and judicial process.
• Administer screenings to assess the needs of the victim and non-offending family members including but not limited to a mental health screening.
• Develop comprehensive safety plans with the non-offending caregivers as needed.
• Provide proactive outreach and follow-up to ensure victims and non-offending family members are engaged in mental health services, if necessary.
• Assist non-offending caregivers/guardians with completing and filing NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS) compensation claim applications.
• Responsible for the documentation and data collection of cases in the Collaborate system, coordinating with the Data Program Manager.
• Answer calls on the triage phone, assess client needs, coordinate services, and provide appropriate referrals as needed.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) providing support at the child advocacy center or by responding in the field as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively with child victims, witnesses, and others regardless of age, sex, social, economic, cultural, or ethnic backgrounds, maintaining a strict standard of confidentiality.
• Off-site visits are sometimes necessary to meet the needs of the client/case.
  
  Off-site visits may include hospitals, schools, or the client's home. Typically, these visits are with another MDT member.
• Other duties as assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to demonstrate proficiency in meeting competencies required for position; able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, criminal justice, psychology or related field with a minimum of one to three years' experience working with victims and/or vulnerable children/families, or
• Associate's degree in social work, counseling, criminal justice, psychology or related field with at least three to five years' directly relevant experience working with victims and/or vulnerable children/families.

• Outstanding customer service, interpersonal communication, and listening skills
• Prior experience providing crisis counseling or problem solving with at-risk children and families
• Knowledge of advocacy standards and skills relating to victims of crime
• Knowledge of child abuse dynamics , child protective and law enforcement investigation procedures, and the legal reporting mandates for professionals
• Ability to engage and build rapport with all children and family members
• Familiarity with the legal, social service, medical and mental health systems responsible for protecting children
• Abil…