JOB TITLE: Family Advocate

Salary Range = $44,000 - $48,000 annually

STATUS: Full Time / Exempt

REPORTS TO:  Director of Family Services

LOCATION: Child Advocacy Center/Community based settings

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PURPOSE:

The Child Advocacy Center Family Advocate assists juvenile victims of abuse and their families who are referred to the CAC by providing a full range of services including assistance with crisis intervention, court support, case status, community referrals, community awareness, and performs related duties as required. CAC Family advocates serve children who are victims of abuse (physical abuse, sexual abuse, and Problematic Sexual Behaviors), by providing community-based support, referrals, and education about the investigative process, rights, and trauma to the juvenile’s family. The family advocate supports a family throughout a child abuse investigation, intake through disposition.

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ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:​

1. Greet and orient the child/family to the Child Advocacy Center

2. Provide services to children and families at the location of their choosing (community, home, school, etc.) that meet both HIPAA and safety requirements

3. Serve children who are victims of sexual assault, physical abuse, Problematic Sexual Behaviors (PSB), and/or human trafficking.

4. Responsible for engaging and serving at-risk youth who have been identified as potential victims of human trafficking by utilizing trauma-informed approaches​

5. Provide education/support regarding the investigative processes occurring within the judicial, medical, and child protective services realms

6. Provide advocacy support during initial contact meetings with victims of human trafficking and children with Problematic Sexual Behaviors (PSB) during law enforcement interviews/meetings, meetings with prosecutors, and court proceedings

7. Provide education about the coordinated multidisciplinary response

8. Provide information to the non-offending caregivers regarding trauma and the impact of trauma on children and families

9. Attends scheduled staffing and/or multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings

10. Serve as the liaison between the family and the MDT, keeping the family updated on case status

11. Collaborate with MDT members and human trafficking taskforce members to provide support and resources when needed

12. Provide crisis intervention and support

13. In conjunction with various members of the MDT, provide education on the dynamics of abuse, coping strategies, the effects of abuse on children and ways to help and support the child

14. Provide training opportunities to staff and MDT members on current trends and information surrounding human trafficking, trauma, and victimization

15. Explain the child’s rights as a victim of crime and, if needed, provide assistance in accessing/obtaining these rights

16. Provide court, medical, and/or legal education, support, and/or accompaniment

17. Assist the child/family in accessing therapy services

18. Provide crisis intervention and emergency assistance to victims and their families by making immediate assessment of needs and referrals to other community resources

19. Work with prosecutors and law enforcement to ensure juvenile victim’s confidentiality is maintained

20. Educate law enforcement, prosecutors, and court staff on the needs of juvenile victims of crime

21. Assist guardians with applications for State Victim Assistance Compensation by obtaining the necessary information and documents, filling out and processing required paperwork, and following case through payment of bills; Coordinate with victim service providers and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office

22. Orients victims to the criminal justice system by explaining procedural status of criminal proceedings or cases; provide court support to victims

23. Initiate case records and provides necessary documentation of case activities in a timely manner

24. Act as an advocate for juvenile victims to ensure their needs are addressed by the community and criminal justice system; Confer with law enforcement and prosecutors on the status of cases

25. Assist with preparation of temporary protection orders, reimbursement claims, and other processes designed to protect the rights of victims

26. Provide support to victims and family during interviews with law enforcement officers, attorneys, and court personnel

27. Provide victim with explanation of criminal justice system rights

28. Provide victims and family with follow-up contacts relating to a case status/disposition, information such as charges filed, status of criminal proceedings, terms and conditions of probation, parole hearings, and release date

29. Promote CAC through community meetings

30. Maintain positive working relationships internally and with assigned courts and team partners

 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES​

1. Respect, understand, and promote CAC mission, values, and goals

2. Commit to working at least two evenings per week in both community-based, and office-based settings

3. Assume additional responsibilities and perform special projects as needed and directed

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS​

1. Bachelor’s Degree in human service, child development, or related field and/or five years of relevant experience

2. Must have and maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license and maintain appropriate insurance coverage

3. Must maintain appropriate driving record and personal vehicle

4. Registered victim advocacy credentials (RA) within one year of employment.

5. Must have experience working with victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS​

1. Considerable knowledge of criminal justice system, crisis intervention practices, interviewing, community resources, crime victimization, victim’s rights, and advocacy techniques

2. Computer skills with word processing, database management, e-mail, fax, windows application capabilities

3. Ability to make sensitive and insightful observations of individuals and to determine a course of intervention

4. Ability to address crisis situations which require prompt decision and action

5. Knowledge of safety issues

6. Knowledge of social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence

7. Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment

8. Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, functions, procedures, organization, and policies governing the operations of CAC

9. Ability to analyze problems and develop a plan of action/correction

10. Ability to organize work, engage in a variety of tasks, and consistently meet deadlines

11. Demonstrated sounded judgment and outstanding interpersonal skills

12. Emotional maturity, stability, personal integrity, initiative, and resourcefulness

13. Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with staff, board members, accrediting bodies, grantors, funding bodies, clients, volunteers, and the general public

14. Good written and verbal communication skills

15. Working ability to communicate effectively with victims, defendants, law enforcement, and court personnel; coordinate and maintain effective working relationships with courts, agencies, and individuals

16. Willingness to respect, understand, and promote the mission, values, and goals of the agency

17. Ability to incorporate the CAC philosophy into assigned duties

    1. Development of self-respect and respect for others

    2. Celebration of diversity

    3. Promotion of growth in each individual

    4. Shared responsibility and involvement

    5. Open, honest, ethical, and direct communication

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PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

1. Ability to operate a computer and keyboard

2. Ability to perform job responsibilities in a facility with multiple levels and without elevators

3. Must be able to provide services at various locations

4. Communicate with others in person, electronically, or by phone on a consistent basis

5. Regular and predictable attendance

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