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Form of workJob Description
Position: Bilingual Family Advocate
Reports to: Advocacy Supervisor
Status: Exempt
ChicagoCAC employees are expected to perform their job duties and act in a manner consistent with the Core Values of the organization.
Responsibility Summary
The Family Advocate’s job is to provide advocacy, crisis intervention, and short-term case management services to child victims of sexual abuse and their families who are referred to the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. The Family Advocate conducts a thorough assessment of the child and the non-offending caregiver’s mental health and social functioning and makes any referrals necessary to meet identified needs. The Family Advocate provides the child and family with education about the investigative process, about their rights, about trauma and the impact of trauma on children and families, and about any other related needs. The Family Advocate acts as a liaison for the family with the MDT and also acts as a voice for the family with the team or supports and encourages the family to speak on their own behalf with the team. The Family Advocate supports a family throughout a child sexual abuse investigation, intake through disposition. The Family Advocate will deliver culturally sensitive and well-coordinated care.
Primary Responsibilities:
Review case prior to family arriving at the center to identify any concerns or needs that the family may have prior to arrival and coordinate/communicate with MDT and other ChicagoCAC program areas to ensure that the families’ needs are met during the visit to the center.
Review the case prior to family arriving to determine any specific case issues that may need to be addressed with the family and/or the MDT.
Greet child and family upon arrival at the ChicagoCAC and help prepare them for the forensic interview and investigation by explaining the process, showing them the interview room, explaining their rights, and providing information regarding the MDT members and any other steps involved with explaining the process. Complete the Family Needs Screening or Family Advocacy Screening Form with the non-offending caregiver that includes a social needs screening of the family and child and a mental health screening of the child and non-offending caregiver.
After completing the screening, self-triage the case in order to prioritize the need for mental health services for the child. Triage complex cases with the advocacy manager/supervisor before the family leaves the center.
When a child or a non-offending caregiver present with a significant safety concerns or mental health risks, consult with the advocacy manager/supervisor to discuss the Crisis Assessment and plan for intervention (SASS, Crisis Care Plan, etc) with the non-offending caregiver and the child.
Provide information to the non-offending caregiver regarding trauma and the impact of trauma on children and families.
Provide information to the non-offending caregiver regarding counseling and the benefits of counseling for children who have experienced sexual abuse and other forms of trauma.
Assess the non-offending caregiver’s willingness and readiness to participate in and/or ensure his or her child participates in mental health services. Document the information regarding engagement.
Engage with the non-offending caregiver, answer any questions associated with the investigation and/or services available and the effects of trauma and provide support and guidance during the investigation.
Provide linkage for the family to mental health services through non-PATHH referrals or by facilitating the child’s placement on the centralized wait list.
Serve as families’ liaison and representative to the multidisciplinary investigating team including during the families’ visit to the center in, MDT meetings and after the visit.
Assess families for needs and make referrals for families to appropriate social service organizations located in families’ communities.
Provide information to the families regarding the Illinois Attorney General’s Violent Crime Victims Compensation Program.
Follow up with families after they visit the center to facilitate referrals, answer questions, convey information, and provide on-going case management.
