Current Opening: Bilingual Community Based Family Advocate
Status: Full-Time*
Reports to: Director of Client Services
Mission: Established in 1992, ChildSafe is a nonprofit organization created to combat child sexual abuse in our community. Serving as Bexar County’s only Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), we provide a continuum of care including crisis management, case management, counseling and victim services to child abuse survivors and their non-offending family members. In 2012, ChildSafe expanded its services to reach all child victims of abuse and neglect. In 2022, ChildSafe was recognized as a certified Trauma-Informed Care agency.
The goals of the agency and its multidisciplinary partners include the following: a recorded forensic interview; ensure the coordination of appropriate and thorough investigation and prosecution of sexual and physical abuse and neglect cases with public and private agencies; provide crisis intervention and on-going counseling; provide public education and professional training; and advocate for the child and family during the investigative process.
Essential Job Function: Under the supervision of the Director of Client Services, and in coordination with the Bexar County Multidisciplinary Team and Community Wellness Hub, the Bilingual Community Based Family Advocate is responsible for providing case management and support services to child victims and their non-offending family members by increasing access to care and community supports to prevent future victimization.
Skills Needed: Success in this position requires a commitment on establishing a trust-based service relationship through collaboration with the client and client’s family. The position requires a high degree of organization and the ability to complete job tasks autonomously and with minimal day-to-day oversight. Must be comfortable conducting home visits and have excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish. Individual must be willing to help define the scope of the role and maintain flexibility. Strong computer and database documentation skills are required. Knowledge of Bexar County community resources is essential.
Experience/Education Required:
- A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work and at least 3 years of experience in the field of child abuse or child maltreatment and providing community-based services and/or case management services is preferred. Or bachelor’s degree with at least 6 years’ experience in the field of child abuse or child maltreatment and providing community-based services and/or case management services.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities required.
- Experience collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
- Experience conducting home visits and working outside of a traditional office setting.
- Extensive knowledge of Bexar County community resources.
- Advanced training in crisis intervention preferred.
- Training in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) or Motivational interviewing is preferred.
- Experience working with individuals of diverse cultures, languages, disabilities, and health needs.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Experience working with children and families in crisis.
- Knowledge of the 8 core competencies of Community Health Workers, as defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Ability to organize a variety of tasks and deadlines.
- Possess proficient computer skills. Knowledge of Social Solutions “Efforts to Outcomes” is a benefit.
- This position requires a valid Class “C” driver’s license or valid driver’s license from another state with the ability to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Use of your own vehicle for travel and proof of auto liability insurance are required.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check and CPS registry check.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain a caseload of 30 child victims, and their non-offending family members, who have been identified as high risk of future victimization and have access to care barriers to include poor social supports and health disparities.
- Acts as an advocate for child victims, and their non-offending family members, by providing long term case management, support, referral, and follow up services.
- Provide informal counseling and social support.
- Attend and participate in the Community Wellness Hub meetings as a representative for access to care concerns regarding child abuse and maltreatment victims.
- Identify gaps in services and cultural implications facing child victims of abuse and maltreatment and their non-offending family members.
- Acts as a liaison between the client and health/social service providers
- Align with the 8 core competencies of Community Health Workers, as defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Demonstrate cultural competency and understanding of the unique experiences of individuals of varying racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds when accessing care.
- Provide long term case management services to meet the needs of families which include but are not limited to: Crimes Victim’s Rights Compensation explanation and application assistance, referrals for mental health services, medical evaluations, and other social services such as TANF, Medicaid, Texas Workforce Commission, and WIC. Will also be required to assist in the completion of applications for community programs and ensure follow through.
- Provide social work planning by working with families to develop and implement individualized service care plans based on formal assessments of their unique needs.
- Demonstrate understanding of the CDC framework for child abuse and neglect prevention.
- Provide court, service, or healthcare appointment, accompaniment when requested.
- Make initial home visits to clients and at follow up intervals as needed.
- Participate in MDT Case Review meetings regarding past or current clients.
- Provide families with educational information of the impact of trauma on child development, behavior, and health outcomes.
- Conduct crisis assessments and provides intervention recommendations according to ChildSafe policy.
- Assists and participates with the Prevention & Community Awareness department staff in scheduling trainings for community organizations, service clubs, and/or institutions that wish to schedule an opportunity for awareness education.
- Ensure HIPAA and client confidentiality are always maintained.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or agency.
Performance Standards:
- Maintain a caseload of 30 primary victims and their non-offending family members
- Documentation entered within 24-48 business hours in ChildSafe database Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) of collateral work. (Collateral work includes: documentation of all client contacts, services provided, and progress towards service plan completion.
- Crisis intervention services are documented within 24 hours.
- 70% of clients successfully completed their individualized service plan and meeting set goals.
- A minimum of 90% on Quality Assurance (QA) compliance.
- 90% of clients on caseload should be actively receiving services.
- Regular attendance at agency and Community Wellness Hub meetings.
- Up to date and current on all required employee trainings and licensure requirements (if applicable).
Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
- Regular Bexar County wide travel to client’s homes and various work locations as assigned.
- Some general office environment
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
- Needs to move about the office to access cabinets, files, office machinery including computers, copiers and printers
- Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (EG: copiers and printers)
- Will frequently ascend/descend ladder to retrieve client files
- Will frequently position oneself to obtain supplies including hygiene and clothes for clients which are stored in overhead cabinets or open shelves
- Occasionally lifts supplies, food, and clothing weighing up to 30 pounds
Hours/Shifts:
Full-time position working 40 hours. Work hours will be established within the following hours of operation:
Monday through Thursday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
*This is a grant-funded position with guaranteed funding for two years from September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024. Extension of the position term will be contingent on funding and/or success of the position.
Some after-hours/weekend/holiday appointments may be scheduled to accommodate client and MDT needs as well as emergency situations. Staff may need to work after hours in response to client crisis situations.
Benefits: Paid Holidays, Major Medical, Dental, Vision, and Retirement plan. Mileage for travel will be reimbursed at .58 per mile.
Salary: Commensurate with experience.
ChildSafe is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.
To Apply
Qualified candidates will email a resume to Randy McGibeny, Chief Operating Officer at . Due to the volume of applicants ChildSafe receives, we are unable to respond to each candidate individually regarding the status of his or her application.