Advocate Child

POSITION TITLE:              Advocate (Children)

FT/PT:                                   Full time (35 hours per week, may include some evenings and weekends)

CLASSIFICATION:            Salaried - Non-Exempt

PAY GROUP:                       Grade 16

REPORTS TO:                     Site Coordinator

SUPERVISES:                      N/A

FUNCTION:                         The Advocate will assist in the development and implementation of services for child/teen victims of domestic violence and/or students.   These services may include; consultation and support to clients and community service providers, developing linkages with health and social service providers, coordinating mental health and disabilities services, providing prevention and intervention services to victims who may be doubly traumatized by substance abuse, and providing  family counseling. The Advocate will provide all necessary advocacy, and link clients to needed services.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide individual and group counseling which may include conducting weekly support groups.  
• Develop Service Plans jointly with each client and/or parent.   Will continuously monitor progress of the client(s), and adjust service plans and as necessary. Goals and objectives as well as time frames must be clearly specified.
• Provide tutoring sessions for child/teen.

• Observe and assess child/teen progress, actions, interactions and their needs.
• Coordinate methods to meet child/teen learning needs through; daily program activities, individual therapeutic work, participation in family conference, and referral to other resources as necessary.
• Provide legal advocacy and court escorts service for clients and/or parents.
• Provide crisis intervention to walk-in clients, call-in clients or clients referred by other means.
• On behalf of the client and/or Family Rescue, will coordinate and advocate with outside entities which may include; social service organizations, mental health organizations, and/or substance abuse organizations. 
• Coordinate and provide opportunities for the child/teen to participate in activities that are social, recreational and educational.
• Provide community presentations/trainings to both public and private entities.
• Serves as a liaison between Family Rescue and the community at large.
• Works with internal agency programs to link clients to appropriate services.
• Provide effective case management/documentation which includes completing all required documentation in a timely manner and maintaining records, files, reports etc. as directed. 
• Provide follow-up service to clients once they have left Family Rescue services.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings etc. as required and/or scheduled.
• Other Duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May assist in picking up and distribution of donations
• May do research and/or gather resources to directly assist clients and/or to perform job.
• May assist in the up-keep (cleaning) of office/building space(s).
• May assist in other programs both inter-agency as well as inter-program     

QUALIFICATIONS:

 Education & Experience:

• Prefer a B.A. degree in social service or related field.
• Will consider an A.A. degree with one (1) or more year’s applicable experience.
• May consider a High School Diploma with two (2) or more year’s related experience.
• Must have 40-hour domestic violence training (within 3 months of hire date).
• Must have CPR/First Aid Certification (within 1 year of hire date).
• May require city and/or state certification.