at Sunlight Children's Services in El Dorado, Kansas, United States
Job Description
Summary: The Family Advocate is a support to the victims and non-offending caregivers throughout the investigative process, through the resolution of the case. The Family Advocate also serves as a liaison between the children, caregivers, and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) members. They will also be responsible for conducting forensic interviews of child abuse victims.
Responsibilities Include:
1. Welcome family to the CAC. Make sure they are comfortable and build rapport with the family. Provide them with information about the CAC, MDT response, and Forensic Interview process.
2. Meet with the non-offending caregiver at the time the interview is conducted to complete the
CAC intake packet. If applicable, present the Victim’s Compensation form to the victim and non-offending caregivers and inform them of their rights as required by KSA 74-7301, 74-7333 and 74-7335. A copy of these rights is also distributed to clients and explained, if necessary. Coordinate Crime Victim’s Compensation with the Attorney General’s Office to complete this process.
3. Stay current on community resources and update CAC referral information as needed. Connect families to appropriate resources and act as a liaison for those referrals.
4. Inform victims and non-offending caregivers of upcoming court hearings, sentencing, etc. as s/he is notified by the Butler County Attorney’s office, in accordance with KSA 74-7335.
5. Attend any court activity related to CAC cases including: CINC hearings, PFA and PFS hearings, criminal hearings, and family meetings at the County Attorney’s office.
6. Provide the family and victim with education and information on court systems and processes. Work with the County Attorney’s office on victim/witness preparation, as requested.
7. Provide community education regarding child abuse prevention and response.
8. Conduct case management services of all open/active cases served by the CAC. Keep electronic case files current and be the liaison between families and the MDT as needed.
9. Attend monthly Case Review Team meetings and keep MDT members informed of family updates.
10. Conduct and observe legally defendable forensic interviews and participate in pre- and post- interview meetings with MDT.
11. Prepare for and provide testimony in legal proceedings, when requested, as a fact or expert witness.
12. Routinely engage in peer reviews and conduct research on emerging trends in Forensic
Interviewing.
13. Stay current with NCA Accreditation Standards and maintain minimum training hours to meet this standard.
14. Teach accredited curriculum within local school districts regarding prevention and education services, as required.
Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to work with sensitive and difficult subject matter; must recognize and appropriately address signs of own stress response.
- Ability to respect confidentiality and privacy of families, victims and CAC staff; sign confidentiality agreement.
- Ability to interact respectfully with many different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
- Exercise good judgement, demonstrate effective critical thinking skills, and crisis intervention skills.
- Possess basic to advanced computer skills, including familiarity with generating monthly reports and logs and updating a secure database.
- Have a commitment to follow CAC procedures and protocols.
- Bi-lingual communication skills preferred.
Registration)
- Complete a minimum of 40 hours of Forensic Interview education and training within six months of hire.
- Must have good written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, as well as ability to communicate with children and adolescents.
