Family Advocate - Bilingual Preferred

The Family Advocate provides victim advocacy and support services to the families of children who are alleged victims of child maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect) and/or who have witnessed violence in their homes or communities.

The primary responsibility of this position is to ensure that all alleged victims and families receive consistent and necessary support services to promote healing. The Family Advocate meets with the non-o ending caregiver (while the child is participating in a forensic interview) to provide emotional support and trauma informed crisis intervention, which may include: providing information about the MDT/CAC response and the impact of trauma; conducting trauma screenings; connecting to appropriate mental health, medical and other services; and conducting suicide screenings. The Family Advocate engages in active outreach to non-o ending caregivers after the forensic interview and collaborates with other victim advocacy service providers. The Family Advocate regularly attends Albemarle and Charlottesville Case Review Meetings and attends outlying case review meetings (Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange) when directed.

This position is a full-time position and reports to the Program Director.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist in creating and maintaining a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for children and families, agency partners and coworkers;
• Participate in pre and post forensic interview meetings with the Forensic Interviewer, Medical Sta and MDT Investigators to ensure information sharing and case coordination;
• Meet with non-offending caregivers to provide emotional support and crisis intervention, work with caregiver to identify strengths and protective factors, ask about critical needs of the family and connect to resources and provide education about the MDT/CAC response and the impact of trauma;
• Conduct trauma screenings and make referrals to evidence-based treatment mental health providers when indicated; collaborate with caregiver to address barriers (concrete, perceptual) to engagement in services; track referrals and outcomes;
• Conduct suicide screenings, utilizing the ASQ (Ask Suicide-Screening Questions) tool, when indicated by internal protocol; Present caregivers and youth an opportunity to complete OMS surveys;
• Conduct timely and routine follow up with caregivers; exploring additional needs and barriers encountered;
• Maintain data entry and client records in NCATrak; Actively participate in Case Review, highlighting the unique needs of the child and family and ensuring service coordination;
• Work with Program Director to develop and maintain MOUs with evidence based mental health providers in the Central Virginia region;
• Develop a mental health referral directory and obtain knowledge of community resources for all MDT jurisdictions;
• Coordinate regular meetings with partner agencies and other community agencies providing victim support and advocacy to establish protocols that dene roles, reduce duplication of e orts and ensure seamless coordination of advocacy services;
• Collaborate with Program Director to ensure compliance with NCA Standards and Components applicable to Victim Advocacy;
• Complete NCA recognized Family Advocacy Training and continuing education requirements. Participate in CACVA Advocate Peer Group;
• Participate in weekly supervision with Program Director;
• Perform other duties as requested by the Program Director and/or CEO.

Qualifications: Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

• Three years of experience working with parents/parent education and/or support.
• A passion for building strong, respectful relationships with families and professionals, ensuring open communication and collaborative problem-solving to address the diverse needs of those served.
• Teamwork: Collaborates effectively with professionals from various disciplines; supports team e orts, fosters positive dynamics, and contributes to a respectful work environment.
• Child Advocacy Experience: Preferred 3 years of experience with child maltreatment cases and multidisciplinary team responses.
• Technical Prociency: Procient in O ce 365, shared drives, Zoom, and other web-based tools and databases.
• Ethics and Professionalism: Works with integrity, inspires trust, maintains confidentiality, and upholds organizational values.

Working conditions:

• Job classiffcation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, working normal business hours. Limited evening and weekends may be necessary.
• Line of reporting: The Family Advocate will report to the Program Director.
• Location: Position will be expected to work from our Charlottesville office.
• Travel: Local travel to MDT meetings as well as in-state trainings and conferences. There may be out-of state-travel once or twice a year for conferences or trainings. A company car is available for most local and in-state travel.
• Physical Requirements: Candidates should be comfortable working at a computer.
• Compensation: $63,000 with a 5% salary differential for Spanish speaking individual over 26 paychecks a year

Benefits:

• 3 weeks of accrued paid time off, dedicated sick leave, and personal days
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 3% employer retirement match
• Flexible/remote work options as schedule allows
• Organization commitment to, and funding for, professional development Other Requirements:
• Successful completion of criminal background and child abuse/neglect clearances as a condition of employment, and every three years thereafter.
• Must have access to a vehicle; possess a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Must demonstrate proof of legal ability to work in the United States.

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the quali cations as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the quali cations described. Foothills Child Advocacy Center is an equal-opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or caregiver status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application and interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other bene ts and privileges of employment.

Job Posting Timeline:

• Position Posting Period: Open until February 21, 2025.
• Zoom Meet & Greet: Conducted via Zoom by the CEO by end of February 2025.
• First Round Interviews: Conducted via Zoom by the Program Director, to be completed by March 10, 2025
• Second Round Interviews: Conducted in person at Foothills, involving current employees, to be completed by March 21, 2025.
• Interview questions will be provided to candidates prior to the interviews.
• Offer Announcement: By March 28, 2025.
• Projected Start Date: April 28, 2025.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $63,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $63,000