Family Advocate Specialist I/II/III

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of the Division Manager – Child Advocacy Center, provides crisis intervention and support services to child abuse victims and non-offending caregivers. This position coordinates mental health services and provides information about the criminal and civil law systems.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position exercises no supervision over staff.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Responsible for providing crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, and support services to victims of child abuse and non-offending caregivers. Creates a psychologically and physically safe environment that is sensitive to a child’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development.

Administer standardized diagnostic assessments to inform individualized treatment planning. Conduct comprehensive evaluations of client risk factors and collaborate with multidisciplinary team partners to develop and implement safety plans.

Collaborate with CAC Victim Services Specialists to ensure comprehensive services are established for clients. Provide oversight of quality assurance processes for advocacy-related data entry. Collect, evaluate, and analyze data to identify client needs and measure the effectiveness of services provided.

Respond to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) after-hours for emergency cases for advocacy or crisis intervention services.

Coordinate services with law enforcement, DFPS, District Attorney’s Office, Hendrick Medical Center, and other community agencies. Function as a liaison between members of the multidisciplinary team. Obtain case information from interagency partners and document information into the case tracking system.

Function as a liaison and coordinate services with the CAC Mental Health Counselor and Regional Victim Crisis Center.

Assist with the completion of CAC intake paperwork and the crime victim compensation applications and assist with grant paperwork and report submissions.

Provide court preparation and support for victims in the advocate role.

Conduct regular follow-up calls to non-offending caregivers to provide support, information, and referrals until criminal and civil cases are closed.

Participate in ongoing training as it relates to child abuse, criminal investigations, child protective services, advocacy, community resources, legal system, forensic interviewing, volunteer coordination, and city values. Apply current research relevant to advocacy.

Respond to community members who make inquiries, provide tours of the CAC, manage donations, and maintain storage areas.

Participate in community awareness activities as scheduled.

Routinely drive a personal vehicle for court preparation and meetings with interagency partners. Drive a rental vehicle for out-of-town trainings, meetings, or court hearings.

Family Advocate Specialist II

Assist with site visits, accreditation process, and protocol revision.

Conduct community awareness presentations throughout the year.

Family Advocate Specialist III

Apply for grants and submit reports as requested.

Create agendas as requested, present reports, and participate in CAC Board meetings as requested.

Submit background check requests for board members, and volunteers.

Assume Site Administrator role for the case tracking system, monitor accuracy of data, and provide ongoing training to CAC staff.

Assist with a strategic plan and monitor progress.

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:
Community resources for families in need, vicarious trauma, child abuse and its impact on family dynamics, and child development.

Child Advocacy Center/Multidisciplinary Team Model, role of interagency partners, and laws and statutes related to child abuse and joint investigations.

Mental Health advocacy and assessment.

Grant applications and reports.

Skill to:
Maintain a high level of confidentiality and handle sensitive information and situations.

Communicate professionally orally and in writing.

Actively listen, analyze details, assess needs, and document accurately.

Effectively use Microsoft Office, Excel, and operate a computer, standard office equipment, and digital interviewing system.

Conduct small group presentations and tours of the CAC.

Ability to:
Adjust to change with a positive attitude and manage significant emotional stress.

Accurately enter data in the case tracking system, and create reports, forms, and presentations.

Stay organized and manage time well.

Read and apply research to daily work.

Facilitate professional meetings.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Family Advocate Specialist II

Knowledge of:
Grant applications and reports.

Skill to:
Conduct professional large group presentations.

Read and understand complex instructions, laws, and statutes and practically apply information to CAC operations.

Manage high stress situations, think critically, and resolve problems.

Ability to:
Complete reports without supervision by required deadlines.

Family Advocate Specialist III

Knowledge of:
CACTX/NCA Accreditation.

Background check requirements, timeframes, and process.

Strategic plan, timeframes, and method for monitoring progress.

Case tracking system.

Skill to:
Provide technical training to staff for computer-based case tracking system.

Ability to:
Interact with interagency senior management professionals.

Confront issues in a respectful manner.

Serve as a subject matter expert.

Experience and Training Guidelines:
For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Family Advocate Specialist I

Experience:
This is an entry level position.

Three (3) years of social service experience or one (1) year of experience with a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is preferred.

Education/Training:
A Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or related field is preferred.

License or Certificate:
A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment is required, or a military waiver is required.

Family Advocate Specialist II

Experience:
Six (6) years of social service experience is preferred.

Three (3) years of experience with a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is required.

Ten (10) community awareness presentations are required.

Education/Training:
40 hours of online basic victim advocacy training and 16 hours of advanced victim advocacy training through continuing education opportunities is required.

Family Advocate Specialist III

Experience:
Nine (9) years of social service experience is preferred.

Six (6) years of experience with a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is required.

Conducting three (3) CAC community awareness presentations each year is required.

Applying for grants and submission of grant reports is required.

Education/Training:
40 hours of online basic victim advocacy training and 32 hours of advanced victim advocacy training through continuing education opportunities is required.

Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

HIPAA Compliance training is required within sixty (60) days of employment.

Physical, mental, and emotional health is vital for success in a work environment with daily exposure to information and images of the abuse of children, emotional caregivers, and stressful/tense situations.

Ability to work in a standard office environment.

Ability to travel for training purposes and court advocacy.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:
N = No
E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A = Almost Never (< 10% of the time)

Code / Task
_I__ Standing
_M_ Sitting
_M_ Walking
_A_ Lifting
_A_ Carrying
_I _ Pushing/Pulling
_N_ Overhead Work
_M_ Fine Dexterity
_M_ Kneeling
_M_ Crouching
_N_ Crawling
_I__ Bending
_A_ Twisting
_A_ Climbing
_E_ Balancing
_E_ Vision
_E_ Hearing
_E_ Talking
Other: ___________________