Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer

JPosition: Forensic Interviewer/Family Advocate
Immediate Supervisor: Program Director
Type of Employment: Full time/Non-exempt

Function: Under the direct supervision of the Program Director, and in coordination with the Multidisciplinary Team, the Forensic Interviewer is responsible for conducting forensic interviews of children for local law enforcement and child protective agencies.

Forensic Interviewer Responsibilities

1. Assumes responsibility for conducting highly specialized forensic interviews of child victims for local law enforcement and children's protective investigations.

2. Adheres to confidentiality CAC standards. Maintains client files and provides follow-up to ensure file is complete.

3. Meet with MDT partners during case assessment and coordinate case information as needed.

4. Participate in ongoing education including regular peer reviews and assigned training to meet standards of services.

5. May travel with the family advocate to the rural counties serviced to provide family advocacy when there are more than 2 interviews scheduled on a given day in those areas.

6. Work effectively with various county and state agencies involved in the criminal and civil cases of child abuse/neglect.

7. Provides court testimony when subpoenaed for forensic interviews conducted at the Center.

8. All documentation of services offered of completed are to be documented in the case management tracking system.

9. Must complete appropriate Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas Forensic Interviewing trainings.

10. Will participate in rotation for on-call phone and interviews including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

11. Maintain up to date and accurate information on calendar regarding interviews scheduled.

12. Establish and maintain open communication and healthy relationships with all partner agency representatives, forensic interviewers, family advocates, medical and mental health providers.

13. Participate the multi-disciplinary team meetings to assist in the case review process.

14. Participate in community awareness and fundraising events.

15. Maintains accurate record of time worked and submits timesheet in accordance with policy.

16. All other responsibilities and duties designated by the agency from time to time or added to the scope of responsibility for this position.

Qualifications:
Required:

1. Possesses a minimum of a high school degree and/or minimum of twoyear of work experience in social services or a related field.

2. Must have a telephone, reliable transportation, possess a current Texas Driver's License or State issued ID, and provide proof and maintain auto insurance.

3. Ability to pass a criminal history check, background check, and CPS registry check.

Preferred:
1. Bilingual (Spanish/English)
2. Education in social service or related field.
3. Experience working with children in the field of child abuse, trauma, or related field.

Special Abilities and Knowledge:

1. Experience with diverse cultures, languages, and situations.

2. Ability to communicate well orally and in writing.

3. Experience working with children and families in crisis.

4. Knowledge of and experience in working with child abuse issues.

5. Ability to organize a variety of tasks and deal with a variety of people.

6. Excellent telephone skills.

7. Possess computer skills.

8. Possess ability to collaborate and interact well with Team members from various disciplines such as law enforcement, medical, mental health, Child Protective Services, and prosecutors.

Family Advocate Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate commitment to the goals of the Family Advocate Program.

2. Exercise advanced knowledge of community resources, assessment skills, and case

management facilitation for children and families impacted by child abuse.

3. Provide education for families regarding the dynamics of child abuse and

provide encouragement and support for family engagement in recommended services/programs.

4. Initiate referrals for counseling therapy, medical exams, and other community resources for children and families.

5. Provide crisis intervention for children experiencing suicidal ideations and provide

appropriate resources for immediate professional mental health intervention.

6. Work with child protection team to identify service gaps for each client child and family and troubleshoot system breakdown for clients who have accessed HSTX services.

7. Act as a liaison for client questions/concerns regarding their involvement in investigative or service processes.

8. Provide information and support for the Crime Victims Compensation process and VINE as

applicable.

9. Participate in case briefings.

10. Screen for trauma symptoms

11. All documentation of services offered are to be documented in the case management tracking system.

12. Participate in regular peer reviews and assigned training to meet standards of services.

13. May travel with the forensic interviewers to the rural counties serviced to provide family advocacy when there are more than 2 interviews scheduled on a given day in those areas.

14. Acts as an advocate for child victims and their non-offending family members by providing support and follow up services through in person appointments and phone calls in the appropriate time frame.

15. May travel with the forensic interviewers to the rural counties serviced to provide family advocacy when there are more than 2 interviews scheduled on a given day in those areas.

16. Engage families for court preparation services when notified that case is going to court and provide court accompaniment when necessary.

17. Participate in regular peer reviews and assigned training to meet standards of services.

18. Participate the multi-disciplinary team meetings to assist in the case review process.

19. Establish and maintain open communication and healthy relationships with all partner agency representatives, forensic interviewers, family advocates, medical and mental health providers.

20. Participate in on call SANE accompaniment rotation as needed.

21. Complete surveys with children and families associated with the Operating Measurement System. Ensure timelines are completed and documented on the designated spreadsheet.

22. Maintain the organization and relevant information needed in the Family Advocate Spreadsheet.

23. Maintains accurate record of time worked and submits timesheet in accordance with policy.

24. Participate in community awareness and fundraising events.

25. All other responsibilities and duties designated by the agency from time to time or added to the scope of responsibility for this position.

Qualifications:
Required:

1. Possesses a minimum of a high school degree and/or minimum of twoyear of work experience in social services or a related field.

2. Must have a telephone, reliable transportation, possess a current Texas Driver's License or State issued ID, and provide proof and maintain auto insurance.

3. Ability to pass a criminal history check, background check, and CPS registry check.

Preferred:
1. Bilingual (Spanish/English)
2. Master's degree in a behavioral science. Clinical license to include LCSW, LPC, LMFT. May have LMSW or LPC-Associate with a board approved supervisor.
3. Experience working with children in the field of child abuse, trauma, or related field.

Special Abilities and Knowledge:

1. Experience with diverse cultures, languages, and situations.

2. Ability to communicate well orally and in writing.

3. Experience working with children and families in crisis.

14. Knowledge of and experience in working with child abuse issues.

Pay: $38,000.00 - $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: In person