Advocate

About the Role

The Advocate provides trauma-informed, relational advocacy and case management services to survivors, ensuring high-quality support in both crisis and long-term situations. This role requires flexibility for after-hours and weekend crisis coverage and demonstrates Common Thread’s core values of compassion, integrity, resilience, and relational care.

Employees must have a reliable personal vehicle and be able to consistently meet a 90-minute crisis response timeframe. Mileage is reimbursed in accordance with organizational policy. Travel is primarily regional; however, occasional overnight travel, including air travel, may be required based on program needs. Participation in an on-call rotation is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and program regulatory guidelines and standards.
• Assess ongoing changes in behavior, circumstances, or conditions affecting child safety using child-focused, trauma-informed, and quality-driven approaches.
• Deliver family preservation interventions, including comprehensive safety planning and clinically informed stabilization planning.
• Provide feedback and support to the crisis response line to ensure effective responses, follow-ups, and appropriate family support.
• Respond immediately to all referrals and crises for assigned caseload.
• Engage children and their caregivers actively in the casework process.
• Manage caseloads according to agency policies, licensing, and contract standards.
• Document progress toward risk reduction, achievement of service goals, and positive case outcomes for children and families within program-required timelines.
• Follow immediate reporting and response requirements for safety-related cases in the field.
• Transport clients when needed according to program protocols.
• Dispatch within required timeframes to hospitals, police stations, DFPS offices, shelters, community-based settings, or incident locations.
• Maintain a minimum number of daily or weekly contacts with children and families to ensure consistent support.
• Continuously evaluate and strengthen rapport with assigned clients.
• Act in the child’s best interest, supporting relationships with community members and stakeholders.
• Participate in community meetings and engage stakeholders to ensure services are accessible.
• Attend workshops, seminars, and educational programs to promote professional growth and development.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records, files, forms, and statistics in accordance with agency, licensing, and contract requirements.
• Participate in weekly case staffing with the regional team.
• Work evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts as needed, including voluntary overnight crisis coverage.
• Implement safety protocols, including emergency evacuations, in accordance with BCFS Health and Human Services and program guidelines.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all areas of service, population interactions, and program operations.
• Uphold BCFS Health and Human Services professional and ethical standards, demonstrating respect for staff, the service population, and community members, and comply with the required dress code.

Essential Functions

• Provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services, including safety planning, immediate risk reduction, and short-term therapeutic interventions.
• Independently coordinate referrals, service planning, and documentation for an assigned caseload.
• Accept and respond to crisis calls, providing timely support to children and families in need.
• Conduct thorough assessments, develop treatment plans, and make independent field decisions regarding the safety and well-being of assigned children and families.
• Deliver in-home family preservation services as assigned.
• Serve as a liaison with stakeholders—including legal providers, child protection, law enforcement, federal partners, and others—ensuring adherence to program and local protocols.
• Actively participate in community meetings and advocate directly with stakeholders to enhance child services.
• Engage in weekly supervision, either face-to-face or via phone, with the assigned supervisor.
• Travel approximately 75% of the time within the region, including overnight stays, often requiring use of a personal vehicle.
• Meet all deadlines established by program supervisors and federal partners.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of BCFS Health and Human Services policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, sociology, or a closely related field of study.
• Personal or professional experience with victims of human trafficking, victims of child abuse and neglect, or youth experiencing homelessness and/or addiction.
• 2-3 years of case management and/or crisis intervention experience.
• Demonstrate mastery of safety, resiliency, and mental health assessments.
• Maintain all required licenses and certifications (e.g., First Aid, CPR, Emergency Behavior Intervention, OAG Sexual Abuse Program, State Driver’s License) and provide verification upon request.
• Possess current auto insurance and proof of work eligibility.
• Pass pre-employment and biennial background checks, drug screenings, and consistently maintain professional composure.
• Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English (Spanish is a plus).
• Continuously demonstrate the 26 essential characteristics of an effective advocate.
• Work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining emotional intelligence, professional boundaries, and composure.
• Technology and computer literacy necessary to manage caseloads, documentation, and communication effectively.
• Work effectively and without intensive supervision both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Adapt immediately to changes in the field.