Family Advocate - Moberly, MO

FAMILY ADVOCATE

Position Summary

The Family Advocate serves as a liaison between Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, employees, foster families, biological families, and other individuals or organizations connected to a child’s care. This role maintains open communication with all parties to ensure services are directed where needed. This is a full-time position that may require some irregular hours.

Accountability

Reporting Structure

• Directly accountable to the Family Advocacy Manager or Director.

Duties & Responsibilities

Licensing & Compliance

• Conduct and write home studies for potential foster parents and assist with completing and collecting required paperwork. Some evening or weekend hours may be required.
• Maintain and manage records for foster parents licensed by Coyote Hill.
• Ensure all necessary files are maintained in the designated digital and/or hard-copy location.
• Contact appropriate individuals when paperwork or records are not current.
• Manage ongoing licensing paperwork requirements and ensure families remain compliant with state requirements.
• Regularly report to the Family Advocacy Manager or Director regarding the status of foster parents serving children.

Training & Education

• Attend ongoing trauma-informed care education, including Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®).
• Practice and promote trauma-informed care principles and strategies, including TBRI®, with care providers and children.
• Assist in leading trainings as needed and requested. Some evening or weekend hours may be required.
• Offer feedback and guide self-assessments for care providers.
• Help care providers identify areas where parenting practices can become more trauma-informed.

Support & Services for Families

• Assist foster families with understanding contact permissions for children and, when appropriate, assist with scheduling visits between children and biological relatives.
• Aid foster families through transitions involving children in their care.
• Provide services that support permanency for children in biological, relative, or adoptive care.
• Offer or connect foster families with appropriate support services while routinely checking in on their needs and well-being.
• Assist with scheduling respite care and/or volunteers as needed.
• Participate in Family Support Team (FST) and Permanency Placement Review Team (PPRT) meetings and provide input as requested.
• Be present in foster homes as needed to understand home dynamics and the well-being of children in the home. This may require some evening hours.

Other Responsibilities

• Uphold Coyote Hill and Child Placing Agency policies, procedures, and core values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications & Competencies

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must hold a college degree, preferably in a field related to social work.
• Must have a clear driving record and be able to drive during both day and night.
• Must be willing to undergo initial and periodic police/law enforcement records checks.
• Must pass the background screening process required by and conducted by the Missouri Department of Social Services and maintain a positive screening.
• Must maintain an active cell phone.
• Must be willing and able to work irregular hours.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected.
• Demonstrated proficiency in secretarial skills, telephone etiquette, and general office etiquette.
• Strong knowledge of grammar and spelling.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in conflict management and basic knowledge of human development are ideal.
• Must be personable, empathetic, and able and willing to collaborate.
• Must be effective at meeting deadlines.
• Ability to relate to others in a caring and compassionate manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain helping relationships with young people.
• Ability to maintain an appropriate balance between being authoritative and supportive.
• Ability to make sound decisions in crisis situations and under pressure.