Family Advocate I #HIRING

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Job Purpose

Project Harmony exists to provide effective, immediate and sensitive support to child abuse victims and their non-offending family members. Project Harmony is committed to a vision with a focus on one goal: ending the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Project Harmony is one of the largest Child Advocacy Centers in the nation.

At Project Harmony, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our clients and our community. Project Harmony is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national original, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

At Project Harmony, we are committed to building a team of dedicated, compassionate professionals who are supportive of our culture:

We are all Project Harmony: Project Harmony exists because of the unique collaboration of community partners, dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect. Our strength lies in our people, their ideas, their differences, their diverse talents and perspectives.

We bring our best everyday: Project Harmony consists of experts, problem solvers and visionaries dedicated to promoting creativity and innovation. We demonstrate personal integrity and maintain a high standard of ethical behavior. Project Harmony is dedicated to fostering a learning environment where all members of the collaborative process can flourish.

When it comes to children, we don’t compromise: Children come first in all that we do. Project Harmony provides a safe place where children have the courage to use their voices – a place where healing begins. Because of Project Harmony’s coordination of care, children entering Project Harmony go from crisis to courage. Our vision reimagines the system to make it work best for all involved, especially the child.

If you are looking for a place where you can make a difference in the life of a child, Project Harmony is looking for you. We are seeking an experienced and committed Family Advocate I to join our dynamic and innovative organization. This entry-level position is responsible for providing crisis intervention, support and education to the children and families being served at the Child Advocacy Center (CAC).

Essential Duties and 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.
• Assist with 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.

Requirements

Qualifications:

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Social Work, Human Services or related field.
• Training and education in child abuse/neglect investigations, and/or child welfare service system.

Work Experience

• Previous experience in child welfare preferred.
• Training and/or experience in crisis intervention.
• Previous experience in working with children.
• Previous experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Good working knowledge of community resources and judicial system.
• Knowledge and understanding of family violence and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect.
• Demonstrate verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills.
• Must respect and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrate problem solving skills and ability to resolve conflicts.
• Knowledge and use of Microsoft Office Products (Word, Outlook, etc.).
• Good decision-making skills.
• Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team.

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 possess the ability to pass a fingerprint clearance.
• Must have access to a vehicle, possess a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Position involves some travel, primarily within the state.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.