Family Advocate

Description

JOB SUMMARY

A Family Advocate works with families to provide on- and off-site support and advocacy services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide support and advocacy services, on- and off- site, for families concerning: mental and physical health services, involvement with Children’s Division, educational needs, legal and housing assistance, employment search and support, and crisis intervention.
• Provide clinical case management service for families as required by housing vouchers, and voluntary case management services as requested by clients.
• Provide social/emotional crisis intervention to families.  Connect families to appropriate community resources, such as financial assistance, mental health treatment, housing, employment, healthcare, and to address other needs as identified.  Collaborate with community partners to ensure that interventions and community support services are available and easily accessible. 
• Connect families to internal agency services, including food, clothing, diapers, financial assistance, and health and mental health services.
• Collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary team within our agency.  Attend weekly huddles and provide a social work perspective when addressing family situations.
• May required completion of Needs Assessments, Family Partnership Agreements, and regular updates with families and ensure documentation into required systems.  Support families in their identified goals and track their progress.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation regarding communication and activities with families and services received, including completing required reports, in accordance with policies and procedures. 
• Monitor, document, and follow up on attendance issues weekly to ensure both the safety of children and families and compliance with the attendance policy.
• Support families in maintaining certification for childcare.  Communicate regularly regarding a family’s certification status; help families identify ways to become certified and track monthly progress and compliance with identified plan.
• Participate collaboratively in community activities for networking, advocacy, and program visibility, in accordance with agency policies and procedures. 
• Provide Case Management and oversight to Operation Breakthrough’s Supportive Housing Program, in partnership with Amethyst Place.  Responsible for screenings, case management, and other activities to ensure continued program success. 
• Collaborate with other departments to plan and facilitate parent programming.  
• In collaboration with other agency staff and parents, develop systems to ensure integration of parents in all program activities.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings and other professional activities as determined by the Social Services Department or other agency administration.   
• Work cohesively as a team within the social service department.

• Compile and submit all paperwork by the required deadlines; completing reports as specified.
• Maintain CPR and First Aid Certification.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors Degree of Social Work.
• 2 years experience working with underserved, low income families preferred.
• Basic computer literacy, the ability to transport clients, and the desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
• CPR and First Aid Certified. (Training paid and provided by the agency)
• A current physical, TB test, background test and drug test are required. 

COMPETENCIES

• Dependability including arrives at work on time, uses approved lunch / break times appropriately, follow procedures in requesting and reporting leave time.

• Good hygiene and personal appearance.
• Promote communication, warmth and respect among all families, staff and volunteers.
• Careful attention to detail and commitment to accurate, timely and complete documentation.
• Maintain confidentiality with regard to staff, children and families according to established guidelines.
• Model appropriate behavior, language and communication skills for children, families and other staff.
• Interact respectfully and professionally with others.
• Sensitivity to diverse learning styles, knowledge/skill levels and cultural orientation
• Ability to bend, kneel and squat many times each day.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 45 pounds at times during the work day.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Indoor office and on-site home visits.

Reports to: Family Engagement and Programs Coordinator/ERSEA Manager