Bilingual Family Advocate

Summary:  The Bilingual Family Advocate provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling, risk/protectiveness assessment, emergency clinical assessment and on-going case management to children and families referred by the Child Protection Team (CPT). This position requires the ability to clinically assess clients on an ongoing basis and generate treatment plans based on assessment.

Job Tasks:

1. Supports non-offending caregivers so that they may protect and support their children
2. Provides psychosocial assessment, psychotherapy and case management services for children and protective caregivers:

• Assesses the client’s level of cognitive, emotional functioning, and psychosocial history information
• Assesses protective caregiver’s mental health, protectiveness and risk factors, and social service needs
• Assesses the need for clinical services for the child and family
• Assesses current presenting problems that need to be addressed
• Establishes a case plan with clear treatment objectives, goals, and intervention strategies

1. Collaborates with Law Enforcement and CPS throughout the length of the case in providing information to the family about status of the criminal and civil case from the point of investigation to prosecution
2. Administers clinical assessment tools for purposes of assessment
3. Provides psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic services to children and families
4. Determines appropriate treatment planning, goals, and interventions
5. Provides crisis intervention services for children and adults at the point of the forensic interview
6. Provides long term counseling support services for children and adults
7. Refers children and families to appropriate community resources
8. Collects and reports information on services provided
9. Provides case management assessments and service planning
10. Develops knowledge and skill in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics practice approach, and use of the DSM 5 and subsequent updated versions, to assist in guiding assessment and case planning
11. Provides written documentation involving client services to Law Enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office throughout the case
12. Provides forensic interview clients with information on Victim Rights, to include Crime Victim’s Compensation, Protective Orders as needed, VINE, information on other resources as deemed appropriate for each family
13. Provides group therapy facilitation for children and families referred by CPT as needed
14. Provides crisis counseling services as needed for children and families referred by CPT
15. Provides emergency clinical assessments to assess mental status of children and families who are in emotional distress and expressing thoughts of self-harm or suicidal and/or homicidal ideation, or are currently experiencing psychotic symptoms
16. Participates in Forensic Interview case staffings with the Forensic Interviewer, Assistant District Attorney, law enforcement detective and Child Protective Services caseworker
17. Coordinates with Forensic Interviewers in the provision of follow up services to include counseling support, community resource assistance, crime victim rights assistance for all forensic interview clients
18. Provides orientation to the criminal justice system for families with cases in the criminal justice system, in some cases may also provide court accompaniment when appropriate
19. Provides court advocacy services to families in the criminal justice system for child abuse cases
20. Upholds ethical guidelines and professional standards, including following the rules and regulations outlines by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners
21. Maintains professional licensure by completing the required number of Continuing Education Credits and renewing license on time
22. Notifies supervisor of any disruption to licensure or any investigation by the licensee’s applicable professional board
23. Provides referrals for therapeutic services to children and protective caregivers referred by CPT
24. Provides Program coverage for forensic, therapy and medical cases, as needed
25. Represents the organization and speaks at community events, as requested
26. Assists Clinical supervisors with strategic planning to identify growth opportunities for further development of the Child Protection Team relations and activities
27. Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of the mission, core values and vision of the Center and the children’s advocacy model
28. Attends regular staff meetings, other internal meetings and community meetings as assigned
29. Performs other duties as assigned

FLSA

            Exempt

Physical Requirements:

Strength:

            Light Work - Lift up to 20 pounds occasionally

Environmental Conditions:

            Noise: Moderate

Work Situations:

            Direct/Control/Plan

            Influencing People

            Dealing with people

            Making Judgments/Decisions

Equal Opportunity Employer

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as required by their supervisor.

CACTX designates Children Advocacy Centers as an essential employer.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a behavioral science
• Clinical license to include LMSW, LCSW, LPC or LPC Associate
• Minimum of two years’ experience including case management services for child victims of sexual and physical abuse, child protection, crisis support and counseling
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with Law Enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, Child Protective Services, and Forensic Interviewers in the investigation of child abuse and/or children who have been exposed to violent crimes
• Ability to assess risk factors of forensic interview clients and strategize with Law Enforcement and CPS on safety planning
• Certification in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics or a willingness to achieve certification
• Bilingual English/Spanish Required