Family Advocate

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Center Manager, the Family Advocate will work to achieve positive child and family outcomes through high-quality engagement. The primary function of the Family Advocates is to provide child-focused mediation between parents who wish to exercise or acquire parental rights and responsibilities.

The Advocate will ensure that a trusting and collaborative process is implemented in each family with specific focus on the best interest of the child. Top candidates will recognize and identify each familys risk and protective factors, respect the diverse cultures and values of each family, and establish professional roles and boundaries while working with families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Mediate disputes by parents over responsibilities and rights of the child.
• Place or register parenting plans.
• Provide legal information regarding the responsibilities and rights of the parents.
• Facilitate and Monitor the agreement reached that will be in the best interest of the child.
• Provide the courts with reports in litigation matters.
• Provide recommendations to the court on how parents can care for the child under the circumstances.
• Develop, implement, and monitor a program specific to each family and their circumstance.
• Maintain an accurate and complete documentation of services to families.
• Schedule and conduct a minimum of 3 home visits annually (1 of which must be in the home).
• Provide monthly parent support groups.
• Maintain regular contact with parents, teachers and Supervisor about childs behavior and discuss pertinent information while ensuring confidentiality rights are respected.
• Help families identify strengths and needs, set their own goals, and make appropriate referrals.
• Complete necessary paperwork and follow-up for the assurance of services.
• Work cooperatively with current community-based social service agencies to assist families in their own efforts to improve the conditions and quality of family life.
• Assist all families in the enrollment in the program and utilizing existing coordinated services such as the Childrens System of Care.
• Coordinate and integrate support services for children and their parents.
• Prepare and distribute community resource list.
• Maintain organized records and complete paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Fully participate in all outreach, recruitment processes, and appropriate documentation which systematically ensures enrollment of all eligible children.
• Set a registration week to make the process easier for parents to gather the needed information in a timely fashion.
• Performs similar job-related duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment, classroom, home environment and has travel. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, social media, modern technology, and fax machines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to read, understand, and apply written and spoken directions; write; count accurately; use advanced math skills.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position, and days and hours of work are Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise approved.

TRAVEL

Occasional local travel and some outside-of-area travel may be required for job requirement or training purposes.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement

CAFI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CAFI complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

CAFI expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of CAFIs employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

QUALIFACATIONS

• Minimum
  • Bachelors degree in social services, Social Work, Sociology, or related field
  • 2 years of experience in social work or a similar environment

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing on a professional level.
• Ability to remain confidential and keep all information confidential.
• Ability to report, problem solve and analyze.
• Ability to manage time, and report to work on a timely manner.
• Ability to flourish independently and in a team management system.
• Excellent organizational skills, excellent tracking and documentation required.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Microsoft Office Skills
• Sensitivity to low income, ethnic minority community.
• Demonstrated compassion for people.