Family Advocate

About the role

Project Harmony exists to provide effective, immediate and sensitive support to child abuse victims and their non-offending family members. We are seeking an experienced and committed Family Advocate to join our dynamic and innovative organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and education to alleged victims of child abuse and family members
• Screen referrals for appropriateness for possible therapy options to Project Harmony's mental Health, Connections program, or a community provider (maintaining a current list of treatment providers and resources for families)
• Provide referrals to and facilitate the delivery of services to children and families through collaboration with treatment providers and other community partners
• Provide timely follow-up to ensure a coordinated service delivery response
• Participate in investigative and/or treatment multidisciplinary teams as needed to provide status updates regarding the family and other case information
• Conduct and go over various mental/behavioral health screeners with youth and caregivers to assist in determining treatment needs
• Provide immediate crisis intervention services with clients, caregivers and youth as needed
• Assess caregiver’s level of support for the child and identify other risk factors that may compromise their protective abilities and/or require safety planning
• Collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, forensic interviewers and mental health professionals throughout the investigation process
• Perform the intake functions for referrals from law enforcement and Child Protective Services (CPS), gathering background information and coordinating the scheduling of interviews and medical evaluations
• Responsible for entering accurate and timely documentation and information into Project Harmony databases
• Aid in coordination and tracking of CAC lead intakes, contacting caregivers and professionals as needed. Ensure coordinated response between law enforcement and CPS when scheduling forensic interviews and medical exams, tracking and reporting back to partners all follow-up and services provided
• Ensure culturally competent services are provided to all families we serve without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, gender or sexual orientation
• Other duties as assigned by Program Manager – Family Advocacy

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required in Social Work, Human Services or related field
• Experience and Training: Training and education in domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, investigations, and/or child welfare service system; training and/or experience in crisis intervention; experience in child welfare preferred; experience and knowledge of community resources and judicial system
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with diverse clients and partners; excellent time management, organization, and documentation skills; ability to collaborate effectively across systems and disciplines; demonstrate professional verbal and communication skills; strong problem-solving skills and ability to resolve conflicts; knowledge and use of Microsoft Office Suite/365; ability to work independently as well as part of a team, and in alignment with organizational mission and values; must respect and maintain confidentiality
• Other: Must be willing to work flexible hours and provide on-call coverage nights and weekends on a rotating basis; must submit to a thorough criminal history background check; must have access to a vehicle, possess a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance; position may involve some travel, primarily within the state