Family Advocate (Effingham)

Family Advocate Job Description

Position Title: Family Advocate

Supervisor: Program Director (Effingham)

Summary of Position: The Children’s Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois (CACECI) believes that victim support and advocacy is integral and fundamental to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) response. CACECI believes that support and advocacy should be provided for both the children and non-offending family members served by the agency. The Family Advocate is responsible for promoting a child focused, supportive environment at the CACECI by providing crisis support, system information, and community resources for children and their families who participate in an investigation of child abuse or for children who have witnessed traumatic and violent crime. The Family Advocate is responsible for providing these services throughout the life of each case.

This position is based at the CACECI Effingham Satellite and will primarily provide services to clients in the counties of Effingham, Fayette, and Jasper.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Involvement with the MDT before, during, and after the forensic interview(s) in order to participate in information sharing, inform and support family about the coordinated, multidisciplinary response, and assess needs of each client.
• Provide crisis support to children and their families who are receiving services from CACECI, including but not limited to: greeting families, explaining the role of CACECI in the process of the investigation, supporting non-offending parent/caretaker while the child is being interviewed, and supporting the child and other accompanying family members when the caregiver is in conference with the MDT.
• Implement crisis assessment and intervention tools that are used to assess risk and safety. Understanding of individual needs of clients with cultural considerations to ensure those needs are addressed.
• Share information about the Victim’s Rights Act and assist families in completing applications to the Crime Victims Compensation Program when applicable.
• Collect needed case information from the caregiver and others as needed to share with MDT. Participation in case review to communicate and discuss the unique needs of clients and associated support services planning; ensure the seamless coordination of services; and ensure that client concerns are heard and addressed.
• Provide referrals for trauma-informed, evidence based mental health and specialized medical treatment.
• Assess clients for needs and make appropriate referrals to human service organizations in local client communities.
• Evaluate and keep current all resource information distributed to clients.
• Maintain and update the material for the client information packet.
• Promote multidisciplinary approach to investigations and participate in team review processes as available.
• Provide active outreach, which requires follow-up with clients beyond initial assessment and crisis response. Follow-up services after the initial contact at CACECI must include ongoing, regular contact until CACECI concludes its involvement with the case.
• Assisting clients with accessing concrete services such as housing, protective orders, domestic violence intervention, food, transportation, public assistance, transportation, etc.
• Maintain processes to ensure the accuracy, timeliness, organization and professionalism of paperwork and documentation.
• Attend and participate in staff development trainings as provided. Attend appropriate training to enhance and/or maintain skills in accordance with National Children’s Alliance (NCA) standards.
• Data entry and tracking on open cases, maintaining appropriate documentation of services provided.
• Administering client satisfaction surveys via Outcome Measurement System (OMS).

Required Skills: Knowledge of and sensitivity to family systems and child victimization. Knowledge of the overall child protection and legal system. Ability to communicate/and or interact effectively with children, adolescents, and adults that receive services from the Children’s Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois. Academic training or practical experience in and knowledge of developmental stages of children and the dynamics and effects of child abuse. Excellent written and verbal communication, computer and mediation skills. Ability to work well with a variety of disciplines. Knowledge of community resources.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s Degree in a human service or related field with relevant experience working with children and families.

· Experience working with victims of child sexual abuse, physical abuse and family violence.

· Knowledge of legal systems, communities to be served, social welfare and child protection systems

· Good organizational and writing skills and the ability to work independently.

· Good communication skills and the ability to work well with others as part of a team.

· Must have their own means of transportation, valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance, as travel between service counties will be required

· Ability and flexibility to work outside of normal working hours, including being available for after-hour emergency situations

CACECI will provide specialized training in accordance with current NCA standards related to advocacy (minimum 24 hours). Applicants need not have these trainings as a prerequisite to apply.

CACECI is a 501(c)3 not for profit agency.

CACECI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Applications should be made to Executive Director, Robyn Carr via really or email at robyn@caceci.org. Applications should include letter of interest, resume, and 3 professional references.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,336.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,336