Bilingual Services Coordinator/Family Advocate

Bilingual Client Services Coordinator/Family Advocate (Fluent in English and Spanish)

Reports to:  Director of Victim Advocacy and Outreach

JOB SUMMARY:

The position is split between duties as a Services Coordinator and Family Advocate to meet program needs.  The Bilingual Services Coordinator/Family Advocate works as part of a multidisciplinary team responding to allegations of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, domestic violence and exposure to other forms of violence or trauma.

The Services Coordinator will serves as the general gatekeeper for all intakes at ACCC. The Services Coordinator will coordinate the intake and scheduling process for clients at ACCC, including triaging and scheduling referrals based on client safety and service needs.  The Services Coordinator will also serve as a liaison with multidisciplinary team partners and assist with the coordination and documentation of multidisciplinary services provided.

The Family Advocate is expected to provide advocacy, support, education and case management services to child victims of sexual and physical abuse and neglect and their non-offending caregivers and family members. 

This position requires knowledge of child protection/law enforcement systems, child development, child communication, and child trauma related to child abuse and exposure to violence. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. This is a 40 hour per week salaried position.  The Services Coordinator/Family Advocate reports to the Director of Victim Advocacy and Outreach of the Anna Crawford Children’s Center.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in creating and maintaining a warm, welcoming environment for ALL clients, agency partners, and coworkers
• Provide support services according to the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) and Children’s Advocacy Center’s of Georgia (CACGA) standards and as delineated in the Anna Crawford Children’s Center MDT Response Manual.
• Provide support services according to the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) standards and as delineated in the Anna Crawford Children’s Center MDT Response Manual.Work collaboratively with the MDT providing services at the child advocacy center.
• Communicate effectively with child victims, witnesses and others regardless of age, sex, social, economic, cultural or ethnic backgrounds, maintaining a strict standard of confidentiality.
• Support agency awareness and participate in fundraising events

SERVICE COORDINATION

• Answer and screen calls and respond to email requests for forensic interview and forensic medical exam services.
• Assess needs, coordinate services, and provide appropriate referrals as needed.
• Coordinate and schedule clients for various appointments, including, but not limited to, forensic interviews, medical exams, and other direct services provided by team members within the organization.
• Facilitate initial intake procedures for forensic interview and medical exams with clients. 
• Prepare intake case file paperwork for scheduled services and ensure advocacy and forensic staff are available and have all pertinent information prior to scheduled services.
• Participate in daily discussions and communications with staff and MDT partners to ensure cases are triaged appropriately and that referrals are provided, as needed.
• Greet clients and families and orient them to the facility and to the CAC/MDT process.
• Assist non-offending caregivers and legal guardians in providing intake information.
• Provide support, assistance and/or supervision to children and families in waiting room.
• Collaborate with ACCC staff and MDT partners to manage emergency crisis situations to promote safety of all involved parties.
• In coordination with Program staff, maintain documentation of client data and services within the Collaborate client tracking system.
• Assist in the collection and documentation of client information needed for various funding sources and for MDT case review purposes.
• Participate in monthly case review meetings, team meetings, peer review meetings, and staff meetings.
• Participate in regular, ongoing supervision.
• Assist in the Center’s response to various legal requests for client records.
• Provide training for partner agencies and community members, as needed.
• Participate in ongoing annual professional development, including ongoing training about issues related to serving children and families impacted by abuse.

FAMILY ADVOCACY

• Use the "expertise" of the family, working together to identify protective factors, risks, strengths and needs as well as developmental, cognitive, cultural, maturity and age factors that may impact linking a victim to appropriate services
• Educate abuse victims and their non-offending caretakers about the criminal and judicial system and processes (timelines, expectations, processes)
• Provide referrals and recommendation for treatment that are directed by the uniqueness of the victim and his or her family needs
• Provide immediate crisis intervention by telephone, and/or in person with the victims and families
• Provide emotional support and resource referrals to families
• Provide follow-up services to families through phone calls and additional resource referral

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluent in speaking, reading and writing in Spanish.
• Required: Bachelor’s degree degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, criminal justice or a related field.
• 2 years of significant experience working with children, preferably in an advocacy, mental health, medical, counseling, education, or other closely related field. Or, a combination of education, training, skills and experience that would ensure the effective performance of the duties of the job.
• Experience in inter-agency collaboration
• Ability to engage children of all ages in and mediate with parents in crisis.
• Knowledge of child protection and law enforcement child abuse investigative procedures.  Emphasis in sexual abuse investigations preferred, ability to communicate and function within these systems.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and developmental needs of individual children and family members
• Ability to effectively work with a wide variety of families from diverse backgrounds who may or may be apprehensive or appear uncooperative with the MDT process
• Ability to handle and manage crisis-oriented situations in a calm, effective manner
• Ability to react well under pressure
• Ability to adapt to change in the work environment, able to deal well with frequent changes, delays and/or unexpected events
• Effective interpersonal, communication skills, both oral and written.
• Must complete and pass a criminal background investigation.
• Candidate must be willing to attend out-of-town training, on occasion.
• Must ensure strict confidentiality of agency and client information.

The Anna Crawford Children’s Center offers a benefits package including paid holidays and PTO and professional development opportunities. ACCC offers partial employer-supported health insurance, dental and vision insurance.  The agency also offers access to a 403-B deferred compensation plan.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to the attention of:

Amy F. Economopoulos – CEO

amye@cherokeechildadvocates[dot]org

Position open until filled.