Family Advocate

FAMILY ADVOCATE

Hourly; Non-exempt

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our Family Services team to serve as the Family Advocate within the Catawba Indian Nation’s Division of Health and Human Services. The Family Advocate will be co-case managing child welfare cases with the state involving “Indian” children of the Catawba Nation under the program of Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

As part of the position’s key responsibilities, the Family Advocate will attend case management cases before court involvement, conduct home visits, supervise parent-child visitation, transporting clients, and provide services in a manner that promotes the safety and wellbeing of the child/children represented in each case. The Advocate will work closely with the local child protective services agency, other state agencies or other participants involved in each case through frequent communication, treatment planning, and participating in multi-disciplinary team meetings.

The Family Advocate will also be responsible for assisting with case preparation and management through maintaining accurate and up-to-date case records which include all documentation of contact, activities, case plans, and other case record standards in accordance with ICWA and the Catawba Nation Department of Family Services. The duties of this role require a flexible work schedule as determined by the supervisor, occasional travel for visits or trainings, and preparing reports.

This position supports the CIN Mission and Vision by promoting family strength and healthy relationship ensuring a future of social, mental, and emotional well-being.

This position directly reports to the Family Services Director and is responsible to and subject to the CIN Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determines through interviews with parents, guardians, or from tribal enrollment that the subject child meets the definition of an “Indian child” as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USCA, and Section 1093
• Conducts home visits to assess family’s current circumstances and provide reunification services to the family.
• Provides transportation for clients to and from services when needed.
• When deemed necessary, participates, and intervenes in court proceedings involving a Catawba Child or a child in the CIN service area that is also a part of a federally recognized tribe.
• Assists in connecting the state child protection agency with Catawba families willing to foster/adopt tribal children or linking them to other tribal families willing to foster/adopt.
• Host and participate in recruitment events for foster/adoptive placements.
• Provides case management and direct services in matters of emergency childcare, placement services, foster care, adoptive care and pre- adoptive care in conjunction with the state and local child protection authorities.
• Ensures implementation of permanency planning per ICWA guidelines and clearly outlined within the case plan and communicated to the state child protection agency.
• Establishes, updates, and maintains file records with up-to-date information and documentation for client case files and other administrative files.
• Meets with families to understand their needs and discuss their goals.
• Mediates between family members and health care providers or educators.
• Accompanies families to medical consultations, court appointments, or educational meetings.
• Collaborates with the ICWA attorney, ICWA Specialist, and Family Services Director in determining the needs of the family and a plan of care.
• Provides referrals and connecting families with social services organizations or resources.
• Assists families with navigating the resources available to them through Catawba Nation.
• Resolves conflicts between family members.
• Demonstrates a level of empathy that allows you to relate to our clients and develop solutions to problems.
• Provides outreach to and recruitment of families in need of social support services.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with other agencies.
• Ability to complete other duties as assigned as it relates to this role.

COMPETENCIES

• Able to work with and has respect and sensitivity for diverse populations; ability to maintain courteous, effective, professional, and respectful working relationship and demeanor with other employees, clients, and the public in all ways and at all times.
• Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses reason and experience to complement data; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.
• Uses good reasoning skills and maturity when dealing with emotional topics; focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; follows strict confidentiality guidelines; listens without interrupting; responds promptly to clients, agencies, and Admin; meets commitments.
• Uses effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills in all facets of this position.
• Applies critical thinking skills to evaluate situations that come up as a worker and how to the best approach to helping each client.
• Exercises active listening skills to gather information without bias and make informed decisions, and ask relevant questions while showing a commitment, understanding, empathy, integrity toward all parties involved.
• Shows consideration and respect to the traditions, values, and beliefs of the Native American communities.
• Capable of establishing and maintaining respectful personal and professional boundaries.
• Demonstrates willingness for continued learning to stay informed of legal requirements and best practices related to ICWA.
• Carefully navigates and responds to crisis situations with the sensitivity and urgency the Family Services and ICWA cases deserve.
• Pays attention to detail in aspects of the job, especially in case documentation and reporting.
• Practices empathy towards individuals and the community.
• Able to work independently and is self-motivated to complete required tasks in a timely manner with a minimum of supervision; is consistently at work and on time.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s Degree in Social Work or related social sciences/human services field preferred; High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience working with children, families, and case management.
• Must possess the ability to work and maintain the highest degree of confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of the work.
• Able to practice and uphold the highest ethical standards of conduct.
• Ability to work flexible hours (when required by supervisor); evenings and weekends as required.
• Ability to attend trainings (locally and out-of-state), seminars and classes as required.
• Ability to abide by the social work code of ethics in all aspects of work.
• A willingness to advocate for social justice and empower clients.
• Commitment to doing what’s in the best interest of the child.
• Proficiency with standard software programs, including spreadsheet applications, Microsoft Office Suite, copier/printer/fax/scanner, phone, internet.
• Valid State Driver’s Licenses and clean Driving Record (have to meet requirements to be on company driver’s insurance policy). Valid State Driver’s Licenses and clean Driving Record (have to meet requirements to be on company driver’s insurance policy).
• Must possess and demonstrate the competencies as listed above.

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience working with Social Work, Child Welfare, or related field.
• Cultural Competence in the areas of Native American historical and intergenerational trauma.
• Proficient language skills in reading and analyzing case documents and governmental regulations; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, other agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; bend so as to open/use lower drawers or cabinetry; to talk, hear, and see. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Catawba Indian Nation exercises INDIAN PREFERENCE

Native American Indian preference shall apply to this position pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (24 U.S.C. 450, et seq.), 25 CFR 271.44 and other relevant laws (title 25, U.S. code, Section 472 & 473).

Satisfactory background checks and drug screening are requirements for employment.

Completion or submission of an application and/or resume does not guarantee an interview or an offer of employment. We only contact candidates selected for interviews and do not hold applicants for future vacancies. Applications must be submitted for current posted positions.

To apply, submit CIN Employment Application and Resume no later than 5:00 p.m., 3/22/2024 to The Catawba Indian Nation, Attention Human Resources, 996 Avenue of the Nations, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 29730. All requested information listed above must be submitted by deadline. CIN Employment Applications are available from website https://www.catawba.com/careers and the above location.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.20 - $22.11 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Are you a citizen of the Catawba Nation? (Documentation required during hiring process).
• Are you the spouse or parent of a citizen of the Catawba Nation? (Documentation required during hiring process).
• Are you a citizen of any state or federally recognized Tribe in the states of NC or SC? (Documentation required during hiring process).
• Are you a citizen of any other federally recognized Native American Tribe or an Alaskan Native? (Documentation required during hiring process).
• Are you currently employed by CIN or any of its entities?

Work Location: In person