Child Advocate

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.

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.

• 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.