Case Manager Advocate

Summary of Position

Functions in a multi-disciplinary team to provide a professional and child friendly environment to assist in the investigation of child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse. Provides assessment, education to children and non-offending caretakers, connection to resources and short term crisis intervention. Provides ongoing support to families until case and/or court disposition.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

1. Contacts the caregiver to confirm scheduled appointments and completes a brief intake including screening for special needs or accommodations and applicable crisis intervention.
2. Welcomes children and families to the Center when they arrive for CAC interview, ensures completion of all consents and releases and explains the CAC model, procedure and interview process.
3. Collects family history, demographic information and provides direct and individualized child and family assessments of non-offending caretakers and child victims pertinent to the abuse investigations and needed services.
4. Provides relevant information to members of multidisciplinary team before, during and after the child’s interview, in all staffings and during ongoing follow up.
5. Provides education to non-offending caretakers about the nature of child abuse and the court process; works in conjunction with the Victim Witness Advocate Program through the State’s Attorney’s Office when appropriate, provides information to the families regarding the Illinois Attorney General’s Violent Crime Victim’s Compensation Program.
6. Assists families with crisis intervention and connection to resources. Provides referrals to community resources and applicable coordination with service providers including medical and mental health referrals.
7. Provides education on child’s developmental stage, the impact of trauma, the benefits of counseling, encourages participation in the investigative process and educates on victim rights.
8. Coordinates with onsite mental health provider including monthly meetings with therapy program.
9. Serves as a liaison between the family and MDT during and after a visit to the Center and through case disposition in the child protection and criminal justice systems.
10. Participate in case staffings with the multidisciplinary team and provide relevant information to the team until case disposition. Appear in court setting as needed.
11. Provides ongoing, comprehensive follow-up and status updates with families according to CAC and case management program policies.
12. Participates and satisfactorily completes all required training and continuing education programs for the case manager/advocate role, as well as in cross training with other disciplines represented in the multidisciplinary team. Independently reviews new research regarding child abuse and trauma.
13. Actively participates in CAC staff meetings, CAC team meetings, supervisory meetings and multidisciplinary team related meetings and case review.
14. Engages in productive supervision with supervisor, informing of all critical issues of concern, areas that need improvement, growth and progress, case file review and peer review.
15. Completes reports within recommended time; responsible for maintaining entire case files and related documents according to CAC and Case Management program policies.
16. Completes data collection for various data required for funders, satisfaction surveys, and other data as assigned.
17. Maintains knowledge of outcome measurement systems, storage and data management systems and performs duties as referenced in the case management program manual and CAC policies.
18. Follows the CAC protocol for a coordinated response to child sexual abuse and severe physical abuse.
19. Testifies in court or DCFS administrative hearings upon request.
20. Assists, as requested, in trial preparation, attending court proceedings, providing updates to the family and team on case status, continuances, dispositions, sentencing, and inmate status notification, providing court education, court tours, support and accompaniment.
21. Maintains confidentiality of all client, case and work related information and follows all applicable laws regarding the maintenance and disclosure of confidential information.
22. Assists in training new CAC staff and multidisciplinary team members as appropriate and requested.
23. Remains familiar with the NCA Standards of Accreditation and contributes to the CAC maintaining compliance with currents standards.
24. Maintains required mandated reporter training and reports child abuse to the hotline or law enforcement as appropriate.
25. Represents the CAC in providing education and awareness to the community and participates in fundraising initiatives.
26. Contributes positively to the work environment and offers a constructive contribution to the CAC team and the larger multidisciplinary team.
27. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties listed above.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in human services or similar field (social work, criminal justice, public administration or counseling) related to the mission of the CAC and two years related experience in providing services for children and families. A valid Illinois Driver’s License is required. Madison County residency required.

Physical Requirements

The employee may be required to walk or move up to 200 feet from primary desk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.