Family Advocate

POSITION TITLE: Family Advocate

SALARY RANGE: $48,000 - $52,000 annually

REPORTS TO: Director of Intervention MDT & Family Services

FLSA STATUS: Full time (40 hours), Non-exempt

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Family Advocate provides direct advocacy support services to child victims and non-offending family members. The Family Advocate monitors case progress, maintains client files and documents services provided accordingly. The Family Advocate performs the job duties according to professional ethics, maintaining a high standard of confidentiality and in line with the National Children’s Alliance program standards.

The Family Advocate position is full-time at 40 hours per week typically during standard office hours, and reports to the Director of Intervention MDT & Family Services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· During appointments at the child advocacy center, engage and establish rapport with child victims and non-offending family members.

· Provide advocacy services according to the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) standards and as delineated in the CACGROC Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Child Abuse Guidelines.

· Coordinate, schedule and/or make referrals for services to be provided by team members and other providers as warranted.

· Assist families in understanding the legal system in relation to the prosecution of child abuse cases and provide proactive outreach, follow-up and accompaniment services to victims and non-offending family members throughout the investigative and judicial process.

· Administer screenings to assess the needs of the victim and non-offending family members including but not limited to a mental health screening.

· Develop comprehensive safety plans with the non-offending caregivers as needed.

· Provide proactive outreach and follow-up to ensure victims and non-offending family members are engaged in mental health services, if necessary.

· Assist non-offending caregivers/guardians with completing and filing NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS) compensation claim applications.

· Responsible for the documentation and data collection of cases in the Collaborate system, coordinating with the Data Program Manager.

· Answer calls on the triage phone, assess client needs, coordinate services, and provide appropriate referrals as needed.

· Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) providing support at the child advocacy center or by responding in the field as appropriate.

· Communicate effectively with child victims, witnesses, and others regardless of age, sex, social, economic, cultural, or ethnic backgrounds, maintaining a strict standard of confidentiality.

· Off-site visits are sometimes necessary to meet the needs of the client/case. Off-site visits may include hospitals, schools, or the client’s home. Typically, these visits are with another MDT member.

· Other duties as assigned