Family Advocate

The Family Advocate works directly with child abuse victims and their non-

offending family members by providing advocacy, crisis support, and case management services in order to reduce effects of childhood trauma.

Key Responsibilities:

· Contact the non-offending caregiver prior to service delivery to assess child and family’s needs and provide orientation regarding upcoming CAC services.

· Meet with families while at the CAC to provide orientation, assessment, psychoeducation, emotional support, and referrals for services.

· Intermediate with MDT members to convey family assessment information and advocate for family’s needs and concerns.

· Commute to CAC satellite locations as needed to provide advocacy services listed above.

· Provide follow up information and case management to child victims of crime and their families throughout the investigation

· Assist the child and family with accessing services such as mental health treatment, with specific emphasis on families who are impacted by low-income, multigenerational trauma, and other high risk factors.

· Support children and families in navigating and overcoming potential barriers to services.

· Work in collaboration with Victim/Witness staff to provide support to victims and their non-offending caregivers, ensuring families do not experience a gap in services.

· Facilitate drop-in sessions with caregivers following forensic interviews to increase their capacity to support their child on their healing journey

· Participate in regularly-scheduled case review meetings with the CAC’s multidisciplinary team (MDT), as well as any meetings held on an as-needed basis. Collaborate with MDT partners as a member of the MDT.

· Ensure case data, including court outcomes, are logged into the VCAC computerized database system.

· Participate in education and outreach presentations related to child abuse prevention and identification to community members as assigned.

· Comply with all CAC policies and procedures, including adherence to the confidentiality policy.

· Maintain cross-cultural awareness in the performance of all duties.

· Perform administrative duties as assigned.

· Perform other responsibilities and duties as assigned or added to the scope of work for this position.

· Be willing to develop an in-depth knowledge of problematic sexual behavior (PSB), and help MDT members, families of initiating children, and families of victim children navigate the healing process in PSB cases.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

· Strong knowledge of child abuse dynamics, family systems perspective, and childhood trauma and recovery.

· Strong working knowledge of community resources.

· No felony criminal history or history of child abuse through DSS. Must successfully pass background check.

· Willingness to work a flexible schedule to include occasional evening and weekend hours.

Other Details:

This is a full-time position consisting of 40 hours a week. This is a grant-funded
position with the organization continuing to seek funding to renew this
position past the initial first year grant period. Salary range: $49,000-$54,000 dependent on experience and education.

Valley Children’s Advocacy Center does not discriminate in employment or service
delivery on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

Position is open until filled. Cover letter and resume may be mailed to Hillary Getsey, 1105 Greenville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401 or e-mailed to Hillary@valleychildrenscenter.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $49,000.00 - $54,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Commute:

• Staunton, VA 24401 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Staunton, VA 24401: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $49,000 - $54,000