Job Title: Family Advocate
Reports To: Child Advocacy Center Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Summary of the advocacy and support services
is to meet the needs of children and their non-offending family members in a way that reduces trauma and disruption and enhances positive outcomes. Provides information to the families and assists families in obtaining the services needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following; other duties may be assigned:
- Be present at CAC during the forensic interview in order to participate in information sharing
- Provide crisis assessment and intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning and support for children and family members at all stages of involvement with the CAC
- Provide assessment of individual needs and cultural considerations for the child and non-offending family to ensure those needs are addressed
- Coordinate and support victim and family with specialized, trauma focused, evidenced-supported mental health services and medical treatment as needed
- Provide assessment of family needs and develop a plan to assist families in procuring concrete services, such as housing, protective orders, domestic violence intervention, food, transportation, and public assistance
- Educate and assist families to access Violent Crime Victim Compensation Funds as needed
- Provide follow-up with family to determine satisfaction with referral sources
- Problem solve transportation issues to interviews, court, treatment and other case related meetings
- Participate in case review in order to discuss the unique needs of the child and family and plan associated support services, ensure the seamless coordination of services, and ensure the child and family’s concerns are heard and addressed
- Engagement in child and family response regarding participation in the investigation and/or prosecution and prepare victims for court appearances, hearings, depositions, trials and victim impact statements
- Maintain contact with victim and family throughout investigation phase and prosecution to inform them of the status of the case, continuances, dispositions, upcoming meetings or court dates, assessing needs of family and victim, understanding appropriate Indiana State Statutes for victim’s case, sentencing and inmate status notifications (including offender release from custody)
- Provide court education and courthouse/courtroom tours, support and accompaniment
- Maintain tracking of all Child Advocacy Center cases in NCATrak
- Identify community resources and maintain referral lists for supportive services within the region
- Participate in and have access to transportation to all team review meetings, interviews, court, treatment and other case-related meetings
- Coordinate case management meetings with all individuals providing victim advocacy services
- Attend regularly scheduled supervisory meetings with program director, Attend monthly staff meetings
- Work a flexible schedule as required by responsibilities of the position
- Work collaboratively to promote and participate in positive public relations and public education
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an. individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be able to attend required trainings/meetings, have a valid driver’s license with proof of minimum state required auto insurance, and successfully pass a criminal history check. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Human Services field plus two years of experience in the field of children services, including sexual abuse and/or victim advocacy; experience with family services that embrace the concept of family-centered and strength-based service provision; knowledge of concepts of child abuse and neglect; experience providing services to culturally diverse communities/families and the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
Other Related Skills
Knowledge of and sensitivity to family systems and child victimizations. Strong communication skills. Ability to effectively interact and function as a team member with a variety of disciplines including law enforcement, social services, the state’s attorney’s office, mental and medical health professionals, and school personnel.
Knowledge of community resources.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions;
Ability to travel as required, must have a valid driver license and dependable transportation;
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb stairs, or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Dunebrook, Inc. is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate based upon race, color, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or other categories protected by applicable law.
The job description focuses on the essential function on the position. Other duties may be assigned from time to time. To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees/Volunteers are required to pass a criminal background check and provide assurance of current driver’s license and auto insurance on an annual basis.
To apply for this position, email your resume to Shamara@dunebrook.org