Position Description:
Child and Family Advocate
40 hours per week (full time)

 

The Child and Family Advocate, a direct service, patient facing position, provides outreach and support to the alleged child victims of abuse and their families and works as part of a multidisciplinary team. This position requires commitment to SAFEchild’s mission of eliminating child abuse and empowering families. This is a full-time position working under the direction and supervision of the SAFEchild Advocacy Center (SAC) Director.

Qualifications:

• Required - bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice or related field 
  Preferred - master’s degree in social work or counseling or certified Child Life Specialist
• Knowledge and understanding of child abuse, family violence and substance abuse
• Understanding of the criminal justice (including court processes) and child welfare systems
• Knowledge of community resources
• Solid computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Completion of CFA training as required by National Children’s Alliance standards 

Work Experience:

• A minimum two years of professional experience working with children and families for whom abuse and violence are identified issues 
• Professional experience working with the criminal justice or child welfare system and as a member of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) is preferred

Duties and responsibilities of the position include but may not be limited to:

Case Management and Support Services to Children and Families

• Call non-offending caregivers prior to the Child Medical Evaluation (CME) to answer questions and provide information about what to expect during their visit to the SAC
• Fulfill an active role in case management, including data entry and outcome measurement surveys
• Provide on-site advocacy and support to the alleged child victims of abuse and appropriate caregivers while the CME is being conducted at the SAC, including explaining services, providing a tour of the center, helping the child and family feel comfortable, and providing recommendations for mental health treatment options.
• Listen to the needs and concerns of the alleged child victims of abuse and non-offending caregivers and suggest/provide resources and information, including referrals to mental health providers in the community
• Contact the appropriate caregivers after the CME to determine how they are continuing to cope, providing assistance as needed
• Provide active and ongoing support to the alleged child victim of abuse and caregivers, including follow-up phone calls post MDT case review meetings
• Work closely with other team members, including law enforcement, child protective services, behavioral health and medical providers, as well as the prosecuting attorney in order to stay current on the investigation and prosecution of the case and share any concerns or needs of the alleged child victim and family members.
• Participate in MDT meetings
• Support the alleged child victim and appropriate caregivers by attending criminal and/or juvenile court hearings, when applicable, to support and comfort the child and family
• Remain available to the child and caregivers from first contact prior to their appointment, to resolution of investigation and possible prosecution, for ongoing support and needs assessment
• Continually update informational packets on referral agencies and identify additional materials that might be helpful to families 
• Assist with taking children’s vitals and chaperone the medical exam
• Help to process/label/send specimens to the lab for testing

Community Awareness

• Promote a positive image of SAFEchild in the community and participate in agency special events and fundraising efforts
• Provide tours of the Advocacy Center and presentations in the community
• Work with volunteers at the SAC

Additional Services

• Cross train with other team members
• Assist in the continual care of the Advocacy Center
• Other tasks designated by SAFEchild’s executive director and the SAC director