Child and Family Advocate

Job Summary: The Child and Family Advocate serves to reduce systemic trauma to child victims and their family. The focus of the Child and Family Advocate is to ensure the immediate and ongoing needs of the child victims are being met to secure their safety and begin their healing journey. Additionally, the Child and Family Advocate communicates with caregivers throughout the process and advocates for successful case resolution for the child victim among multidisciplinary team members.

General Duties and Essential Functions:

Child and Family Advocacy

• Prepare non-offending parent prior to appointment, sharing and gathering necessary information to establish rapport, encourage cooperation, and reduce stress of the child and family.
• Assess the unique needs of each child victim and help ensure the CAC response is sensitive to their individual needs.
• Greet the child and caregiver upon arrival at the CAC. Assist with the intake process, build rapport, and help prepare the child for the forensic interview and medical examination.
• Provide brief crisis intervention (on the phone or in person) through information and referral (e.g., counseling resources) to families prior to or during their visit to the CAC.
• Reduce systemic trauma by engaging non-offending caregivers through active listening and by providing them with information about the investigative, judicial, and social services systems.
• Ensure non-offending caregivers are educated on Crime Victim Compensation, information to help them understand the dynamics of abuse and common behaviors of children who have experienced abuse.
• Facilitate post-meeting between non-offending parent and investigative team to ensure the parent receives adequate information and resources. Continue to advocate and represent the child’s best interest for successful case resolution.
• Connect the family to community resources and provide follow-up support to caregivers as necessary.

MDT Collaboration

• Foster an open and positive working relationship as a part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), per CAC protocols, scope of practice, local and national standards, and Missouri statutes to represent the child’s best interests and speak for the needs of the family
• Assist MDT members' view of the investigation process to include the child’s perspective, ensuring that interactions are age-appropriate and victim-sensitive.
• Coordinate and participate in MDT/case review meetings regularly.
• Promote consistency of case data by tracking all data on child victim cases.
• Maintain consistent contact with the family and MDT team members involved in the child victim’s case.

Requirements:

Background experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Services, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field.
• A minimum of two years of direct work experience with children and their families.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• General knowledge of child development, child abuse, and complex family dynamics in child abuse.
• Ability to work effectively in crises.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team and with other individuals and agencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills in listening, conveying warmth and regard, and building rapport with children, adolescents, and caregivers.
• Must be self-motivated with an ability to work independently, without a great deal of supervision.
• Initiative, dependability, flexibility and strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of the effects of trauma and the ability to provide appropriate services in a trauma-informed environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy related to documentation and data collection.
• Demonstration of cultural humility toward diversity of human experience including race, religion, ethnicity, mental and physical abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education and cultural heritage.

NOTE: Even if you do not think you meet every qualification, please apply! We would hate to miss an amazing candidate, and we know that sometimes people do not apply if they do not have every exact criteria. You might be a great fit!

Special Requirements:

• Satisfactory criminal background investigation and a CA/N screening as a condition of employment.
• Basic computer skills.
• Visual acuity necessary to read and develop CAC materials.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Ability to function harmoniously in a small but busy workplace as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to accommodate limited travel and work evenings and on-call as necessary, including training as required for national standards.
• Must acknowledge and adhere to the CAC’s confidentiality policy and procedures and must adhere strictly to the highest professional ethics, confidentiality, discretion, and judgment.

Contribute to a positive, supportive working environment

• Is deeply committed to the mission and as a result, is a strong ambassador and champion for the work of the CAC.
• Exhibits a willingness to engage in continuous improvement efforts through training and professional development experiences.
• Acts as a team player, recognizing that the success of the organization rests not on a single individual but on the work of the entire team.
• Identifies not only problems but possible solutions and is proactive in working to improve work environment and CAC experience for all.
• Demonstrates personal commitment and accountability for their work and does not look to identify coworkers who presented obstacles.
• Actively practices self-care.
• Promote a trauma-responsive approach throughout The Child Advocacy Center

Additional Benefits

• 90% of Health insurance is paid by the CAC
• 15 paid Holidays in addition to paid vacation and sick time

Salary

commensurate with experience

About the Child Advocacy Center:

Founded in 1995, the Child Advocacy Center provides abused and neglected children in Southern Missouri with a safe place to talk about their experiences and begin their healing journey. The team of professional advocates, forensic interviewers, and medical personnel work in collaboration with multidisciplinary team members to investigate allegations of child maltreatment and ensure safety for children and their non-offending caregivers.

At the Child Advocacy Center, we believe that the work we do gives children and families the hope they need to be resilient in the face of trauma and uncertainty. We have hope that our children and families can get better, and that we are a critical part of that journey. We also believe that we can continuously improve the work we do, and we know that we have the talent, passion, and commitment needed to make that happen.

Application Process:

Please send a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Leek, Director of Child and Family Services at jleek@childadvocacycenter.org. Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted.

https://childadvocacycenter.org/jobs/child-and-family-advocate/

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Springfield, MO 65806 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Springfield, MO 65806: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person