Child Advocate
2 days ago
Join Frederick County, Inc. as a Child Advocate and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families affected by trauma. As a key member of our team, you will provide critical support and services to help individuals heal and recover from the effects of child maltreatment.
Job Summary:The Child Advocate will work collaboratively with the Child Advocacy Center's multidisciplinary team to provide advocacy, education, and support services to child maltreatment victims and their non-offending family members. This role requires a strong understanding of trauma, child development, and the complexities of child maltreatment.
Key Responsibilities:- Provide crisis assessment and intervention, risk assessment and safety planning services to children
- Administer trauma screening and adverse childhood experience screenings
- Conduct initial client intake and needs assessments, assess needs, provide case management and referral services to clients
- Complete timely, accurate and relevant documentation of all contacts and services conducted on client's behalf
- Connect families with resources and assist in securing services
- Conduct initial caregiver and youth feedback surveys
- Perform case management activities to facilitate effective collaboration among multidisciplinary team members
- Discuss and engage with children and caregivers to provide investigation/prosecution process information and ensure understanding of crime victims' rights
- Provide clients with court education (e.g. filing protective orders, obtaining emergency custody, visitation rights), support and accompany clients to court as needed
- Maintain and update victim resource information ensuring that CAC has all up-to-date victim resource information
- Maintain the NCATrak database; provide ongoing case tracking and data collection
- Actively participate and contribute to MDT Case Review and all other case-related meetings/discussions
- Coordinate with mental health treatment providers to connect and refer to appropriate services
- Provide active and consistent outreach and follow-up support services with all clients
- Compile and prepare reports as requested by supervisor
- Assist in coordination and delivery of community outreach, training, and presentations
- Perform various office support and administrative duties related to the Advocacy Program
- As needed, travel to off-site locations to assist clients with various aspects of court process
- Actively participate in Division emergency planning and activation of County shelter and family assistance center; attend required county and division trainings (i.e. DEIB, leadership, etc.)
- As needed accompany victims to court in accordance with federal, state and local regulations
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology or related field
- Minimum 2 years of human services work experience that includes case management responsibilities
- Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office
- Secondary language skills in Spanish
- Experience or training in trauma-based work environments
- Child advocacy work experience
- Experience working with Frederick County community resources
Frederick County, Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and a defined benefit retirement plan. Employees also receive paid time off, sick leave, and holidays.