Bilingual Family Advocate

Description

Job Description of Foothills Child Advocacy Center Bilingual Family Advocate

The Bilingual Family Advocate assists the Program Coordinator in the day-to-day operations of the family services program and the Charlottesville and Albemarle child abuse Multidisciplinary Teams with English- and Spanish-speaking families. This position provides victim advocacy and support services to the families of children who are alleged victims of criminal child maltreatment, including but not limited to sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and witness to domestic violence. This support includes tracking data in case review.

The non-offending caretaker’s response to child sexual and physical abuse is the most important factor that will determine the psychological outcome for the child victim. The goals of this position in fulfilling the mission of Foothills Child Advocacy Center are to strengthen the role and responsibility of the non-offending caretaker to become a protective resource for the abused child and to assist with the MDT case review process in the best interest of the child.

This position provides trauma-informed crisis intervention on behalf of child victims and their non-offending caregivers, including assessment of risk and needs, trauma screenings, parent education, and safety and treatment planning; coordination of services including, but not limited to, medical and mental health referrals; and follow-up with the non-offending caretakers during the investigative and treatment process to ensure that the victims’ needs are being met. This person collaborates with the Center’s forensic interviewers and the MDT investigators to ensure that the best possible forensic assessment services are provided.

This person attends MDT meetings, assists with protocols, policies, and procedures, helps maintain positive relationships with MDT members and agencies, and identifies needs in the MDT process and in the community and works with the supervisor, staff, and MDT on ways to meet those needs. This position also shares responsibility for case tracking.

The Bilingual Family Advocate reports to the Program Coordinator. This is a part-time position with the potential to be full-time depending on the employee’s capabilities and Foothills’ needs.

Job Duties

The Bilingual Family Advocate assists the Program Coordinator in the day-to-day operations of the family services program and the Charlottesville and Albemarle child abuse Multidisciplinary Teams with English- and Spanish-speaking families. This position provides victim advocacy and support services to the families of children who are alleged victims of criminal child maltreatment, including but not limited to sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and witness to domestic violence. This support includes tracking data in case review.

The non-offending caretaker’s response to child sexual and physical abuse is the most important factor that will determine the psychological outcome for the child victim. The goals of this position in fulfilling the mission of Foothills Child Advocacy Center are to strengthen the role and responsibility of the non-offending caretaker to become a protective resource for the abused child and to assist with the MDT case review process in the best interest of the child.

This position provides trauma-informed crisis intervention on behalf of child victims and their non-offending caregivers, including assessment of risk and needs, trauma screenings, parent education, and safety and treatment planning; coordination of services including, but not limited to, medical and mental health referrals; and follow-up with the non-offending caretakers during the investigative and treatment process to ensure that the victims’ needs are being met. This person collaborates with the Center’s forensic interviewers and the MDT investigators to ensure that the best possible forensic assessment services are provided.

This person attends MDT meetings, assists with protocols, policies, and procedures, helps maintain positive relationships with MDT members and agencies, and identifies needs in the MDT process and in the community and works with the supervisor, staff, and MDT on ways to meet those needs. This position also shares responsibility for case tracking.

Skills Required

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in social work or related field from an accredited college or university; a master’s degree in social work or a related field from an accredited college or university is strongly preferred.
• At least three years of experience working with children and families.
• At least two years of experience working in the field of child protection, child maltreatment, sexual assault, or with children and families who have experienced trauma.
• Speaks and writes English and Spanish fluently.
• Be highly sensitive to the needs and welfare of children and caretakers who have experienced physical and/or sexual maltreatment.
• Be highly self-motivated and able to work independently when required.
• Knowledge of family violence, substance abuse and the dynamics of child sexual victimization.
• Knowledge of team dynamics.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills including Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals.
• Ability to work in a stressful job environment with difficult subject matter.
• Ability to develop logical and creative solutions and be responsible for making sound decisions.
• Ability to be flexible and adjust to a quickly changing schedule and handle distractions and interruptions.
• Knowledge of child development, specifically stages in cognitive, physical, moral and emotional developmental stages.
• Interpersonal Skills: Approaches others in a tactful manner; ability to work well under pressure and respond quickly to challenges; maintains confidentiality; keeps emotions under control; and remains open to others’ ideas.
• Oral Communication: Speaks English and Spanish clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; and participates in meetings.
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; and is able to read and interpret written information in English and in Spanish.
• Cultural Competency and Humility: Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong self-evaluation and self-critique of cultural competency; has a proven track record of working well with diverse clients and stakeholders.
• Teamwork: Has the ability to work as a team member with individuals from a variety of disciplines; balances team and individual responsibilities; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; and supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Ethics/Professionalism: Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments; and upholds organizational values.
• Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Initiative: Volunteers readily; undertakes professional development activities; and asks for and offers help when needed.
• Planning/Organizing: Ability to work independently; prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; and develops realistic action plans.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; and able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability: Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; and arrives at meetings and appointments on time; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close and distance vision.

Other Requirements

Evening and weekend hours as required.  Must be willing to work flexible hours. Must have access to a vehicle; possess a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance; submit to a pre-employment thorough criminal and child abuse background check and thereafter every three years, and demonstrate proof of legal ability to work in the United States, and, if applicable, demonstrate registration with the Selective Service. Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel is required. To be eligible to drive the Foothills vehicle, must be accepted as a qualified driver by Foothills’ insurance carrier.

Performance Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated on the ability and effectiveness of the Family Advocate in carrying out the above responsibilities by the Program Coordinator.

Work Schedule

Flexible within Monday-Friday; 9am to 5 pm

Additional Info

Equal Opportunity Employer

Foothills does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, cultural background, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, military service, or any other basis prohibited by state law relating to discrimination in employment.

Professionals who are interested in joining the Foothills team should submit a letter of interest and professional resume by email to Intern2@FoothillsCAC.org.