Child and Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer Dual Role

JOB TITLE

Child and Family Advocate /

Forensic Interviewer Dual Role AGENCY:

Susie's Place Child Advocacy Centers

REPORTS TO

Direct Service Program Manager

LOCATION

Avon Center Child & Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer Dual Role Definition:

Reporting directly to the Direct Service Program Manager, the Child and Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer Dual Role position of Susie's Place mainly provides advocacy and support services to meet the needs of children and their non-offending caregivers in a way that reduces trauma and disruption and enhances positive outcomes. Provides information to the families and assists families in obtaining the services needed. Secondary responsibilities include interviewing reported child victims of crimes and child witnesses to violent crimes in an effort to ensure that children are not further traumatized by the interventions intended to protect them and have access to appropriate services.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's Degree in social work, criminal justice, education or a related field or a Master's Degree in Social Work or Forensic Science; a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience working with children and families where abuse and violence are identified issues; professional experience in working with the criminal justice or child welfare system; will be trained in CAC advocacy and forensic interview techniques.

JOB DESCRIPTION-SPECIFIC DUTIES

Advocacy will be the majority of the position and responsibilities include:

• Establish contact with and provide support for reported victims and family while families are present for forensic interviews.
• Provide crisis intervention for reported victims and families referred to Susie's Place.
• Coordinate and support reported victim and family with medical evaluations and/or mental health services as needed.
• Work closely with the Center of Hope to coordinate, track and schedule medical appointments with the medical program.
• Maintain contact with reported victim and family throughout investigation phase and prosecution to inform them of the status of the case, upcoming meetings or court dates, assessing needs of family and victim, understanding appropriate Indiana State Statutes for victim's case, etc.
• Prepares reported victims for court appearances, hearings, depositions, trials and victim impact statements.
• Maintain tracking of all Child Advocacy Center cases that enter the court system.
• Assisting families to access Violent Crime Victim Compensation Funds as needed.
• Identifies community resources, participate in communication and coordination of services with other internal or external providers.
• Document all services provided to clients according to agency requirements and guidelines.
• Follows up with family to determine satisfaction with referral sources.
• Maintains referral lists for supportive services within the region.
• Coordinates the center's My Buddy Therapy Dog program.
• Participates in all team review meetings.
• Attend staff meetings as scheduled.
• Work a flexible schedule as required by responsibilities of the position.
• Work collaboratively to promote and participate in positive public relations and public education.

Secondary, Forensic Interviewer responsibilities: Conduct child-friendly, information gathering forensic interviews of children and adolescents identified as reported victims of crime, usually during regular office hours, occasionally after hours Facilitate pre/post interview multidisciplinary case staffing, Respond to subpoenas and testify when requested, Participate in case reviews and present cases when requested, Participate in supervision, professional development and on-going training activities including being trained in a nationally recognized child forensic interview protocol. Must be willing and able to drive throughout service area region for team meetings, hearings and future interviews, Must be willing to provide on call, after hours coverage as scheduled Must ensure that all services provided prioritize the needs, comfort, and safety of the child, and Perform other tasks and responsibilities as requested.

JOB DESCRIPTION-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to work well with children Must be able to work in stressful situations Must be able to work independently as well as function as a team member and accept guidance and direction from Director Must be able to meet on-call requirements to respond to crisis intervention Must be able to work with a variety of people, including clients and their families, professionals in the areas of law enforcement, medicine, education and agency employees

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to deal with a variety of emotions under stressful situations and be able to deal with people who may be very upset Emotional stability and personal maturity are important attributes in this position Requires normal range of hearing, eyesight, coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to record, prepare and communicate reports and operate office equipment Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Susie's Place is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the recruitment, employment, promotion, or transfer of qualified personnel, or in the administration of personnel practices based upon age, sex, race, ethnicity, nationality, handicap, or religion.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$48,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Paid time off Retirement plan Ability to

Relocate:

Avon, IN 46123: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person