Family Advocate

Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in social work, criminology, sociology, child development or related field.Or be a current college student with at least 60 college units with one years’ experience working with at-risk youth and/or their families.

Background Clearance Requirement: Employment will be contingent on successfully passing a mandatory background check through Fresno County Probation. This will be completed, passed and clearance will be maintained according to the satisfaction of Probation. An outside background clearance will not be accepted or considered.

Experience: Facilitating Workshops, culturally sensitive work experience and approaches, data collection, understanding eligibility, case management, collaborating with staff and volunteers as well as providing support and coaching to volunteers who provide services to clients, working with at-risk youth and/or families who have been involved in the juvenile justice system and preparing to re-enter the community (or related population), and referring clients to additional community resources.

Supervision: Reports to Program Coordinator.

Description of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Family Advocate will be working with the families of Re-Entry Program youth which includes (but is not limited to) the following work: weekly contact with families of enrolled youth, case management, group sessions, data collection, reports (writing, verbal, etc.), referral, workshops, and providing other relevant services as needed to best aid the youth and family during the re-entry phase into the community with the goal of reducing recidivism. The families served are dealing with complex social and economic problems that may include: homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, gang involvement and more. This position may be required to work non-traditional hours as needed to meet the needs of clients on case-load. Below is a sample of duties, responsibilities and skills/knowledge that is required to do this job and may not be an exhaustive list as our client and programs needs evolve.

The Family Advocate will also be working alongside the Re-Entry Coordinator to screen youth for supportive services at the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Campus, link the youth to the appropriate services, and communicate with their Deputy Probation Officers.

Major Responsibilities:

• Partner with Probation and other agencies that will aide in project implementation
• Facilitate workshops for parents and families, maintaining evidence-based integrity of curriculum
• Facilitate home visits with clients while maintaining our agency's safety policies.
• Provide ongoing case management, various screenings, and referrals to clients as needed
• Track all services rendered and client outcomes as outlined in funding requirements
• Use assigned data system to enter all pertinent client information and eligibility documentation
• Attend various related community meetings and events that are pertinent to service delivery Provide culturally aware case management and workshops to all clients
• Ensuring proper communication between direct service progress, challenges, updates or opportunities to assigned project lead and/or CEO

Specific/Additional Duties:

• Work with Volunteers and Staff to ensure proper program support
• Maintain up-to-date, well-organized and accurate case files and records
• All other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge/Skills:

• Able to effectively communicate the benefits or program enrollment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and organizational skills
• Demonstrated computer skills including, but not limited to: using databases, use of Microsoft Office, Social Media, Website and Email
• Demonstrated Customer Service Skills
• Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships with management, co-workers, partners and general public
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Knowledge of available resources within the community for the client population
• Ability to work with youth, young adults and families who face multiple risk factors, barriers and have had justice and/or child welfare involvement
• Ability to speak with clients one on one and to speak to large groups of people which may include public presentations and facilitating workshops
• Ability to think critically and identify opportunities, challenges, needs and prioritization of work to meet mandatory outcomes of program and organization
• Must exercise good judgment and have experience working on projects with specific goals and outcome measurements
• Must be organized and be able to connect program and client needs to other services, may need to think ‘outside the box’ and brainstorm with staff and partners to fully meet client and family needs
• Knowledge/experience with program development, meeting grant deliverables and community based work
• Must be able to work on Saturday mornings and occasionally in the afternoon

Compensation:$20.00 per hour. Paid holidays, time off (sick leave/vacation), medical, dental, vision and 403b.

How to Apply:Please send your resume and cover letter to Marc Salazar, the Director of Programs, atMarcs@FocusForward.org. Position open until filled.

Focus Forward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person