What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mental Health Advocate position at Children's Alliance of South Texas CAC?
Job Description
Mental Health Advocate
Children’s Alliance of South Texas, a nonprofit Children’s Advocacy Center, located in Cotulla, Pleasanton, and Floresville, Texas, is seeking an individual to provide mental health advocacy to children along with their caregivers that have been victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and/or witness to violence in our five-county area.
CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE OF SOUTH TEXAS MISSION: To provide a place where trauma ends and healing and justice begin.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: This position is responsible for the provision of support, information and referral services to children and vulnerable adult victims of sexual/physical abuse and witnesses to violent crimes, and their non-offending families. The Mental Health Advocate will be responsible for coordinating comprehensive victim services related to mental health, provide trauma and suicide screenings, make referrals to community resources, and monitor cases and follow-up with families through investigation, intervention, and prosecution of child abuse cases. Background investigations will be conducted on all candidate finalists.
REPORTS TO: Program Director
SALARY: TBD by experience, education, and certifications.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Conduct suicide and trauma screenings/assessments via in-person or through telehealth.
- Assist the family by filling out the necessary forms for the center to include but not limited to Organizational Health Care Arrangement (OCHA), consent forms, therapy forms if needed, etc.
- Will monitor and triage the therapy client waitlist.
- Perform a therapy needs assessment and determine the family’s needs, if any.
- Make the necessary referrals for victims and non-offending caregivers for outside therapy resources
- Act as an advocate by providing support and follow-up services through phone calls. In-person, and letters. Will follow up with families on a weekly basis.
- Will provide families with basic counseling needs.
- Will communicate possible crisis needs to local mental health authorities.
- Will assist Family advocate role in mental health crisis needs of client.
- Develop a list of resources CAST provides as well as recruit partner resources that reflect CAST mission.
- Maintain documentation of mental health advocacy services in electronic database.
- Attend 3 monthly collaborative team case review meetings
- Perform other tasks and responsibilities as requested by the Executive Director and Program Director, and/or agency.
Miscellaneous duties as assigned, including but not limited to:
- Assist with general CAST operations as needed
- Participating in community and special events
- Participate in CAST committees as needed
- Travel for ongoing professional development as required, as well as providing services in satellite offices
- Be willing to have a flexible schedule
- Must be self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision
- Able to represent the organization in a positive and professional manner.
- Must provide internal and external customer service.
- Must have reliable transportation
- Ability to work On-Call at times depending on client needs.
- Ability to have working transportation and travel 30-50% of the work year at certain times of the year.
JOB DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or mental health related field is required.
- Master’s degree in a qualified mental health subject preferred.
- QMHP or other mental health certification preferred
- At least two (2) years of professional experience working with children and families where abuse and violence are identified issues, or professional experience in working with the criminal justice or child welfare system desired.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
- Proficient technology skills.
- Read, write and speak English fluently. Must be able to work well with children and engage children of all ages in an interview-type setting.
- Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
- Maintain the confidentiality of client information and records.
JOB DISQUALIFICATIONS:
- Working concurrently with known persons alleged/convicted of a crime against children is prohibited. Violation of working with known persons alleged/convicted of a crime against children will result in inability to be considered or dismissal of position.
Compensation package includes paid time off, employer matching retirement incentive, and fully employer paid health premium.
Qualified applicants should email their resume and letter of interest to: Info@castcac.org, Subject line: ATTN: Mental Health Advocate
Open until filled. Please, no phone calls.
Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Travel reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $45,000 - $50,000