Advocate and Case Coordinator: Helping Families Heal After Child Abuse

Critical elements of this role:

• Team member that works well with other disciplines: police, DCF, prosecutor, medical, mental health, forensic interviewer and advocate
• Must work in person hours at Brattleboro office 2-3 days per week
• Passionate about helping others and thorough in assessing and meeting their needs
• Excellent documentation of all support provided to victims of abuse their families
• Timely, professional and consistent advocacy of child and families needs to other team members

Formal job description and responsibilities below:

Case Coordinator and Advocate - Next Training Session Starts February 2025

· Physical presence at the center during every forensic interview (FI)
o Share information with team members before an after interviews
o Inform caregivers and child about the FI and investigative MDT process and consent
- Assess the child/families needs, cultural considerations consistently throughout the life of their case for ongoing needs management
o Routinely check in for feedback (survey) and throughout CAC involvement
· Ensure needs are met in concert with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and other service providers – both basic needs and CAC related needs
o Assist in procuring concrete services (housing, protection orders, food, transportation), accompany to appointments related to needs, help with paperwork
· Provide crisis assessment and intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning at all stages of involvement with the CAC
· Provide education and assistance for victims’ rights and crime victims compensation
· Provide referrals and “warm handoffs” to specialized CAC treatment services
· Participate in monthly case review; discuss family’s needs; share their services planning and ensure coordination of the identified services
· Throughout longevity of CAC involvement, advocate to team/providers on behalf of the family
· Share case updates with the family from investigative and legal proceedings
· Connect to States Attorneys Advocate to provide court education if needed
· Routinely meet with other advocates and service providers to exchange information
· Complete minimum of 8 hours training specific to advocacy/case management bi-annually
· Engage in monthly supervision and/or peer groups

CROSS TRAINING OPPORTUNITY IF YOU'D LIKE THIS TO BE MORE THAN 15 HOURS PER WEEK:

MDT Facilitator – Reports to Program Manager

• Ensure relevant team members attend minimum of 2 peer review sessions annually

• Maintain attendance records and notes from case review to be added to NCATrak

• Enter all intakes (accepted and not accepted) from all relevant agencies into NCATrak

• Actively follow up with all MDT members to ensure accurate case tracking data is entered in NCATrak throughout the life of the case to include the following information at minimum:

Demographics for victim, family and offender Type(s) of alleged abuse

Relationship of offender to victim MDT members involved/assigned

Dates of/ Outcomes from all MDT roles Outcomes of all referrals

• Prepare reports for MDT members that request specific data

• Create and ensure accuracy of statistical reports according to grantor requirements

• Work with advocate role to ensure case coordination occurs at all stages

• Provide support, feedback and conflict resolution to MDT members

• Routinely deliver electronic/anonymous opportunities for feedback from families, children, stakeholders and MDT members; prepare reports and plans for follow up from feedback

• Plan and execute training opportunities at least twice per year for MDT

• Create, coordinate, provide an agenda and disseminate notes from any MDT meetings

• Determine purpose, location, attendance of all disciplines, agenda, date/time and minutes regarding next steps or action items for monthly case review (hybrid option if applicable)

• Request agency updates from all disciplines at case review each month

• Invite all team members to share feedback about the center/center staff at case review

• Ensure that case review is intentional and discusses the following among all team members:

Forensic interview outcome
Discuss and monitor investigative progress
Review medical findings Discuss child protection/safety issues
Assessment of family’s reaction to child disclosure and MDT involvement
How to meet family emotional / treatment needs
Input, decisions and updates from prosecution (status, sentencing, disposition) Cultural considerations for meeting family’s needs, including equitable access
Ensure victims rights and compensation are explained and accessible
Assess family impact of MDT intervention, child well-being, outcomes as available

SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR STAFF

· Property and center cleanliness and management, including restocking

· Maintain equipment needs including updating asset list, needed upgrades and repairs

· Planning and posting social media and website updates

· Participate in fundraisers, tabling events, appearances, etc.

· Collecting mail to be addressed by appropriate staff member

· Contribute to annual report

· Contribute to reporting calendar requirements

· Participate in staff meetings, prepare to share role responsibilities and engage in supervision

HIRING & ONGOING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
· Complete 8 hours of training related to diversity, equity and inclusion bi-annually, plan for professional development and growth
· Engage in literature reviews, peer groups and other opportunities to stay apprised of best practice
· Share experiences and training with other MDTs to improve collaboration
· Provide documentation of all completed trainings
· Adhere to all confidentiality policies
· Continue to improve emotional intelligence and sensitivity to various populations and abilities
· Self-reflection for continued growth
· Positive attitude and respectful engagement with others
· Dedication to the goals and vision of the MDT
· Acknowledge and respect cultural differences, styles of work, learning and communication
· Ability to adapt and change, contributing to an environment that creates psychologically safety
· Routinely seek and respond to feedback specific to role
· High school completion or equivalent
· Excellent verbal and written skills
· Strong organizational and time management skills
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, cell phone, computer usage
· Ability to pass criminal, background and professional references check

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15 – 30 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Day shift
• No nights
• No weekends

Ability to Commute:

• Brattleboro, VT 05301 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $26