Family Advocate

POSITION TITLE

Family Advocate

REPORTS TO

Program Director

SCHEDULE

Full-Time Full Time

JOB DESCRIPTION

Family Advocates play a critical role in helping children who are victims of abuse by supporting non-offending caregivers during abuse investigations and prosecutions. The Family Advocate connects non-offending caregivers with a broader support system, educates families about the justice system, and empowers caregivers to rebuild safe and stable homes. Advocates must possess a working knowledge of social service agencies and support services available in Angelina, Nacogdoches, and Sabine Counties, demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, maintain strict confidentiality standards, have strong organizational abilities, and exhibit professional and ethical values at all times. Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity in the performance of all duties is required. The person in this position also enters and tracks client statistical data, consults regularly with members of the multidisciplinary team, and participates in case review team meetings to ensure the child and family's needs are being met. On-call evening and weekend hours will be required occasionally.

DUTIES:

• Guide client families through the investigative process, encourage their participation in services, and help them understand their rights as crime victims;
• Formulate appropriate intervention strategies to improve a family's coping skills during the child abuse investigation and prosecution process;
• Identify and make every attempt to meet the needs of children and families who may be in crisis;
• Educate non-offending caregivers about the dynamics and possible long-term consequences of child abuse;
• Assess family needs and encourage children and non-offending caregivers to participate in recommended services and counseling;
• Provide information and assistance with completing Crime Victims Compensation;
• Serve as a liaison between the family and multidisciplinary team members as needed;
• Assist multidisciplinary team members in identifying client needs and providing recommendations;
• Schedule appointments for children and families to participate in counseling or other services;
• Represent the child and family's best interests at multidisciplinary team case review meetings;
• Accompany children and families to court or other appointments as necessary;
• Attend local, out-of-town, or overnight advocacy training and peer review meetings as needed;
• Maintain client files and statistical databases to document appropriate information and case progress;
• Participate in community awareness and abuse prevention events when necessary;
• Data entry, filing, answering phones, and general office duties;
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director or Executive Director

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college or university is preferred, but not required. Basic knowledge of child development, abuse dynamics, and child protection and legal systems is a plus. Must possess excellent mediation skills and relate/communicate well with people of diverse ages, races, and backgrounds. Must maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and multidisciplinary team members and ensure strict confidentiality of agency and client information. Detail oriented and organized self-starter with excellent computer and data-entry skills a must. Must pass a thorough criminal background, CPS registry, and National Sex Offender Registry Check and be available to travel out-of-town for training or other work-related purposes occasionally. Must have a telephone, reliable transportation, and possess a current Texas Driver's License.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$35,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Ability to

Relocate:

Nacogdoches, TX 75961: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person