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Family Advocate

Janice Dinkins-Davidson

Janice Dinkins-Davidson

July 22, 2019

Children's Trust.

Children’s Advocacy Center
Job Description

Family Advocate

Full Time

 

Location:  Forest, Virginia

 

Starting Salary: $35,000

This position is for the CAC Satellite office located in Forest, VA. There will be required travel to and from Roanoke during the beginning phases of this position. 

Required Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in the human services field or equivalent experience in child welfare, counseling, juvenile justice, or law;

  • ability to work cooperatively and effectively with clients and professionals who have different types of personalities; 

  • strong verbal and written communication skills;

  • experience with the dynamics of assisting families in crisis, particularly with child abuse and neglect;

  • ability to meet with and support families who are experiencing a range of emotions in order to provide support and facilitate necessary services;

  • strong attention to detail;

  • supportive of mental health services and their potential role in helping a family heal;

  • proficient in MS Office programs;

  • preference may be given to candidates who have training and experience in family advocacy and who are bilingual;

  • must be able to pass a nationwide background check.

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • strong advocacy, human relations, organization and leadership skills;

  • experience in child maltreatment, crisis intervention, child development, family advocacy, the criminal justice system, social work or related areas;

  • familiarity of community resources and how to access services;

  • independent worker who takes initiative to consistently improve themselves and the program;

  • ability to work under high levels of stress;

  • capable of reacting and adapting to changing situations quickly and appropriately. 

 

Role:  The Family Advocate is responsible for supporting non-offending caregivers and their family in cases of alleged child abuse in such a manner that empowers them to protect and support the alleged child victim.  This position involves pre-staffing meetings with investigators, participation in monthly Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings, ongoing training, and entering case information into an electronic data tracking system.  This position reports to the Children’s Advocacy Center Director and Family Advocate Coordinator.

 

Duties:

  • When appropriate, contact family 24-hours prior to scheduled forensic interview to introduce self, identify potential developmental delays of the child, confirm who will be bringing the child, answer questions and provide information on how to locate the appropriate CAC office.

  • Establish a trusting relationship with families by initiating and maintaining regularly scheduled phone contact, beginning 24-48 hours after the child’s forensic interview.

  • Attend all scheduled child forensic interviews in order to briefly staff the case prior to the interview, identify any known concerns with the family, and meet with the caregiver to gather information about the family dynamics and identity needed services/resources.

  • Work closely with partner agencies to ensure effective facilitation of services (particularly mental health services), at the request of the family or team members.

  • Assist parents in making appointments when appropriate.  Act as a liaison between the family and the multidisciplinary team, as needed.

  • Record all interactions with the caregivers and other professionals in the client case record.

  • Contact primary investigators immediately whenever concerns arise with a family.  If serious concerns about a child’s safety are at issue, contact DSS hotline or law enforcement.

  • When families contact Family Advocate for support, engage in sound listening skills and assist the family in contacting primary investigators whenever specific needs are presented that require their involvement.

  • When appropriate and at the direction of the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, educate non-offending caregiver and victim child on courtroom process. 

  • Attend court hearings with the non-offending caregiver when requested.

  • Attend regularly scheduled multidisciplinary team meetings in order to update the team on the progress of the family and convey concerns that have become evident.  Obtain information on additional services the family may benefit from.

  • Complete any and all necessary evaluation, intake and paperwork requirements with the family.

  • Administer OMS surveys to non-offending caregivers

  • Educate and assist families with Virginia Victim Assistance Fund applications, if applicable.

  • On rare occasions, provide 24/7 crisis support by phone and assist the family in identifying services that will ensure their immediate safety.

  • Other duties as assigned.

 

City: Forest

State: Virginia

 

To apply, please send your resume along with a cover letter and three references to:

christina.rouse@roact.org, beth.eisenzimmer@roact.org  

 

Children’s Trust is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race,  color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.

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