Children's Legal Advocate

Children's Legal Advocate

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of families? Join our supportive team and be part of meaningful work that matters—while enjoying competitive pay and comprehensive benefits (available for team members working 20+ hours per week)!

Partners with Families & Children (Partners) prevents, interrupts and repairs cycles of abuse and neglect within families. We are a nonprofit that has been around for 36 years providing exemplary programs for families and an encouraging and fulfilling work environment for staff.

Exciting news! We're embracing a better work-life balance with a 4-day workweek— Monday through Thursday, totaling just 36 hours a week!

Hiring a Children's Legal Advocate

Summary: This position is responsible for providing emotional support, information, advocacy, and court accompaniment to child and teen victims of physical and sexual abuse, witnesses, and their families.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the essential duties/responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties/responsibilities of this job.

· Maintain strict standards of confidentiality;

· Provide information and education to child and teen victims and families about the legal system, courtroom procedures, and prosecutorial timelines;

· When appropriate, collaborate with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) representatives, law enforcement, and other system partners regarding the status of legal cases;

· Provide emotional support, safety and comfort to the child/teen victim before, during, and after any legal proceedings, paying close attention to the individual child’s/teens emotional state and needs;

· Act on behalf of the child/teen in court and regarding any communication with the Prosecutors or Law Enforcement;

· Provide personalized service delivery through home visits or arranging to meet in a safe and convenient location for the child/teen victim and family members;

· Answer any questions related to the investigative process;

· Coordinate with other advocates that may be working with the child and family

· Maintain contact with the victim and family throughout the investigation and prosecution when requested by the family, Prosecutor, or the law enforcement officer;

· Attend court proceedings with the child/teen and family if requested by the family or the law enforcement officer assigned to work with the family;

· Attend case review and follow through with any recommendations of the team that would require the services of the advocate and enter appropriate information into the database from case review;

· Receive and provide training on child abuse, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the legal system;

· Assists with Kids Court / Teen Court;

· Speak on behalf of the child/teen in court, when necessary;

· Prepare and mail out weekly trial letters to the victims and witnesses on each case;

· Complete a minimum of 24 hours of training/education related to victim advocacy;

· Participate in ongoing education in the field of victim advocacy and child maltreatment consisting of a minimum of 8 contact hours every 2 years;

· Other duties as may be assigned;

Qualifications:To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the minimum qualifications listed below. These qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform this job.

Education/Experience:To perform this job successfully, an individual must have:

· a Bachelor’s degree in a related field

· a minimum of three (3) years paid experience in children and family services

· OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

Our benefits are:

• Two (2) options of medical plans (including vision): PPO or HSA (Health Saving Account).
• Dental plan
• Retirement plan 401(K) with employer match
• Life insurance, AD&D, and Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous accrued paid sick and vacation hours.
• Tiered paid vacation time. 13 (THIRTEEN) days of vacation your first year!
• 10 paid holidays + 1 additional paid floating holiday
• Access to online learning platforms
• Ongoing training and continuing education opportunities.
• The employer pays professional liability insurance premiums.
• The employer pays specialty provider insurance premiums.
• The employer pays professional license renewal fees
• We are a NHSC HRSA approved site. You may reach their website at https://NHSC.hrsa.govThis designation promotes Loan Repayment Program (LRP) for SUD https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-sud-workforce-loan-repayment-program
• Various employee recognitions
• Other benefits in our facility: massage chair, game room, variety of snacks and healthy food options at a very low-cost in staff break room, and many more…..

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• paid experience in children and family services: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person