Bilingual Family Advocate

Job Summary

We are seeking an outgoing, personable, compassionate and dedicated Bilingual Family Advocate to serve as a vital link between families and community resources. In this dynamic role, you will empower families navigating complex child welfare, behavioral health, and social service systems. Your energetic approach will help foster safe, supportive environments for children and their families, especially those from culturally diverse backgrounds or high-risk populations. As a key team member of CACKC and working with a multidisciplinary team you will provide screenings to children, crisis intervention, advocate for child and family needs, and facilitate access to essential services with enthusiasm and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Greets child victims and their families/non-offending caregivers upon their arrival at the Children’s Advocacy Center.
• Assists non-offending caregivers with filling out intake paperwork, explaining the process of an interview, and explaining their rights as victims.
• Performs a mini-assessment of the families’ unmet needs and makes the necessary referrals to other social services depending on the families’ expressed needs.
• Acts as an advocate for child victims and their non-offending family members by providing support and follow up services through phone calls and letters in the appropriate time frames.
• Assists families with gathering information for and filling out Crime Victim’s Compensation paperwork and follows up on the completion and filing of such paperwork.
• Maintains communication with forensic interviewers regarding cases that are going to court in order to re-establish contact with families to engage them in the CAC’s court room preparation services.
• Speaks with non-offending caregivers about the availability of the CAC mental health services to all children, educates them about the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model for sexually abused children, and makes the referral for therapy if the family expresses a desire to engage in therapy. Explains that therapy services are free of charge at the CAC.
• Provides referrals for medical evaluations (if recommended by the MDT) and explains the process, payment, and location of the exams.
• Provides referral for other social services and enters any follow-up information in our case-tracking system.
• Provides follow-up phone calls to families who access services at the CAC.
• Recruit, train and manage volunteers.
• Assists and participates with all other CAC staff in scheduling and presenting educational/awareness activities for community organizations, service clubs, and/or any other organization wishing to schedule an opportunity for education.
• Provides support to mental health staff in areas such as family contact, evaluation and outcome measurement.
• Provides support for collection and storage of data and in-house evaluation.
• Share rotating, after hours on-call with team members.
• Consider becoming cross trained in forensic interviewing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience

• Proven experience working with children in social services, child welfare, or behavioral health settings
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with culturally diverse communities and high-risk populations
• Prior experience in crisis intervention and crisis management within social work or family advocacy roles
• Familiarity with child protective services protocols, child & family services policies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) for documentation and reporting purposes
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, with excellent client communication skills in both languages
• Knowledge of child safety practices including first aid and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Strong conflict management skills combined with the ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Possesses a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Relevant work experience while working toward a bachelor’s degree will also be considered.

2. Must have a phone, reliable transportation, and possess a current Texas

Driver’s License or State issued ID.

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

4. Knowledge of community resources or willingness to learn.

Join us in making a meaningful difference by supporting families through compassionate advocacy and dedicated service. This paid position offers an opportunity to grow professionally while positively impacting the lives of children and their loved ones.

Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Language:

• English and Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $50,000