Family Advocate

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Family Advocate is responsible for working in close partnership with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and for providing ongoing support and case management services to children and their non-offending caregivers who are involved in child abuse investigations and receiving services through the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Greets children and their non-offending caregivers upon their arrival at the Children’s Advocacy Center
• Assists non-offending caregivers with completing intake paperwork, explains the forensic interview process and the MDT model to non-offending caregivers and provides explanation and overview of crime victims’ rights while aiding, as needed, with enacting those rights.
• Performs an assessment of the families’ unmet needs and makes the necessary referrals to other social service agencies depending on the unique needs of each individual family.
• Acts as an advocate for child victims and their non-offending family members by provided ongoing support and follow-up services through phone calls, face-to-face visits, and letters as needed.
• May travel with the forensic interviewers to the CAC facility in Palestine to provide family advocacy as needed.
• Assists forensic interviewers and MDT during pre-interview staffing by providing relevant information as it pertains to the unique needs of children being interviewed and their non-offending family members.
• Assists families with gathering information for and completing Crime Victims’ Compensation paperwork and follow up on the timely completion and filing of such paperwork.
• Maintains communication with forensic interviewers, district attorney’s office and mental health clinicians regarding cases that are going to court to re-establish contact with families to engage them in court preparation services.
• Speaks with non-offending caregivers about the availability of the CAC mental health services to all children, educates them about the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model for sexually abused children, and makes the referral for therapy if the family expresses a desire to engage in therapy services.
• Provides referrals for medical evaluations (if recommended by the MDT) and explains the process and location of the exams.
• Provides referral for other social services and enters any follow-up information in the CAC case tracking system.
• Provides follow-up phone calls at regular intervals, appropriate the case circumstances, for families who access services at the CAC.
• Assists and participates with all other CAC staff in scheduling and presenting educational/awareness activities for community organizations, service clubs, and/or any other organization wishing to schedule speaking or educational opportunities from the CAC.
• Provides support to mental health staff in areas such as family contact, evaluation, and outcome measurement.
• Other duties as assigned.

NECESSARY QUALIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Must have a cell phone, reliable transportation and possess a current Texas Driver’s License
• Bilingual preferred, but not required
• Ability to pass a criminal history check, background check and CPS registry check.
• Knowledge of community resources

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: One location

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $32,500.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Language:

• Bilingual (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $32,500 - $40,000