All interested applicants must complete a CAFB employment application and submit to Human Resources (HRRM@cafb.org), along with your cover letter and/or resume.

Bilingual Family Advocate

The Bilingual Family Advocate is responsible for providing case management services to English and Spanish speaking children and non-offending caregivers who have been impacted by allegations of sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, or have witnessed a violent crime.  The Bilingual Family Advocate is assigned to cases to provide support, resources, and referrals to clients and must be able to work professionally and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team setting.

The Bilingual Family Advocate is also assigned to work with English and Spanish speaking clients whose cases are with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.  The Bilingual Family Advocate provides information, support, and accompaniment services to child victims of abuse or any other child who is involved in the criminal court process.  The Bilingual Family Advocate acts as the liaison between the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s office and the family and provides court orientation to children having to testify.

The Bilingual Family Advocate must have the ability to engage with children and families of all ages, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds to help restore and enhance psychosocial functioning of individuals and families adversely affected by child abuse and trauma.

The Bilingual Family Advocate acts as a liaison between the Children’s Advocacy Center and community providers to maintain the accuracy of referral materials given to clients.  The Bilingual Family Advocate is responsible for collaboration with the Clinical Family Advocates, Bilingual Clinical Family Advocates, Criminal Court Advocates, and Bilingual Criminal Court Advocates in researching, identifying, and updating psychoeducation materials provided to clients.

The Bilingual Family Advocate must possess strong oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Support for Forensic Interview Clients on Select Cases

• Contact caregivers prior to appointments to answer questions and process concerns.
• Implement early interventions and the psychosocial support model to address the needs of victims of child sexual abuse and their non-offending caregivers.
• Support clients to identify needs and ensure that children and families have appropriate resources to heal from their abuse experience.
• Provide psychoeducation and resource coordination to appropriately address post-traumatic symptoms.
• Conduct trauma screenings with child victims who meet criteria following the forensic interview to refer to licensed staff for necessary therapeutic interventions.
• Conduct trauma screenings with caregivers to make appropriate psychotherapy and diagnostic referrals.
• Work collaboratively with caregivers and their social systems to process the development of the case.
• Ensure understanding of investigative process and the dynamics of sexual abuse.
• Provide and make appropriate referrals as needed. Refer and connect Spanish speaking clients to community providers who are equipped to engage, support, and meet the needs of Spanish speaking clients.

Support for Clients through the Criminal Court Process

• Provide support, information, and updates on the status of the court case to English and Spanish speaking children and their parents or caregivers.
• Conduct home visits with children in preparation for court.
• Provide accompaniment to children and their families to the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.
• Provide age-appropriate court orientation to children who may testify in court.
• Ensure that families are referred to appropriate health and social service agencies to obtain additional services as needed.
• Assist families with applications for Crime Victims’ Compensation.
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships within the Criminal Justice System.

Ongoing Client Support

• Provide ongoing emotional support to restore and enhance psychosocial functioning by conducting follow up phone calls with caregivers and scheduling additional client sessions as needed.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team review meetings and consultations with partner agencies concerning Children Advocacy Center clients to ensure client’s needs are being addressed.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with Law Enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, Child Protective Services, and Forensic Interviewers in investigations of child abuse and/or investigations involving children who have been exposed to violent crimes.
• Collaborate with other Child Advocate of Fort Bend Departments to manage community donations for the Children’s Advocacy Center clients.
• Provide Follow Up Caregiver Surveys to English and Spanish speaking clients to gauge program effectiveness.
• Note all case activity and maintain case tracking documentation.

Outreach, Networking, and Referrals

• Participate in community outreach activities such as speaking engagements and fundraising events.
• Assist in the development and facilitation of psychoeducation programs for the Spanish speaking population.
• Help identify and community resources and supports who are equipped to serve Spanish speaking clients.
• Network with community providers to determine services provided.
• Educate community providers about Child Advocates of Fort Bend and Children’s Advocacy Center services.
• Host networking events for local providers including tours of Child Advocates of Fort Bend.
• Develop and maintain community provider list to include populations served, services provided, languages in which services are provided, payment options.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Family Advocates, Bilingual Family Advocates, Criminal Court Advocates, and Bilingual Criminal Court Advocates in researching, identifying, and updating psychoeducation materials provided to clients.

Professional Development

• Participate in training to enhance professional skills and development.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Social Work or related field and with a minimum of one-year direct experience working with sexually and physically abused children.
• Bilingual required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Submit to a child abuse and criminal background check.
• Complete 30+ hour pre-service training
• Bending, stooping, reaching and other movement required
• Ability to lift 20 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license
• Must comply with all city, state and federal laws.
• Willingness to work in a smoke and drug free environment.
• Willingness to work some evening and weekend hours.
• Participate in the Children’s Advocacy Center’s Late Night and On Call programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Interested individuals should send a CAFB employment application, cover letter and resume to Luisa Bowers at HRRM@cafb.org.

REVISED  POSITION

Collaborative Family Engagement Coach

The Collaborative Family Engagement Coach provides coaching and consultation to Fort Bend County’s CASA and CPS programs with the overall goal of being able to increase capacity and implement CFE in Fort Bend County. CFE is integrated within all of CASA’s specialized programming including Infant and Toddler, NEST, and WINGS. CASA volunteer advocates are trained to utilize tools that assist in family finding and helping families recognize available support systems to them. Knowing that every child in the child welfare system has experienced trauma to some degree, CFE strives to decrease long-lasting issues and help these children move on with their lives in a family environment. Working together to strengthen families helps provide accountability, safety, placement, permanency, and healing. CFE also recognizes children heal through relationships, and that every child has a family who can be found through perseverance. This position reports to the Collaborative Family Engagement Manager.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Administration

• Coach and guide implementation of Collaborative Family Engagement Program and the 4C’s of CFE (Collaborate, Cultivate, Convene, Connect) to engage families and children involved in Children’s Protective Services’ cases
• Facilitate trainings for volunteers based on information vital in helping engage families in the foster care system
• Provide assistance and consultation to CASA volunteers, CASA staff, and CPS staff as needed on issues surrounding family engagement
• Coordinate with CASA Program, Director, Advocacy Specialists and Family Group Decision Making (DFPS) staff to schedule family meetings

Casework Responsibilities

• Provides consultation, feedback, guidance, evaluation, motivation, training, monitoring and preparation to CASA volunteers, CASA staff, and CPS personnel on the use of CFE tools and meetings
• Facilitate CFE team meetings and Family Meetings
• Attends all case staffings for CFE cases
• Contacts families and all parties to coordinate family meetings
• Co-facilitates family meetings with DFPS Family Group Decision Making staff
• Documents and disseminates all notes for family meetings
• Keeps necessary and appropriate records for all CFE cases
• Consults with appropriate DFPS staff regarding client needs and volunteer assignments
• Assist in gathering and reporting data to Texas CASA and University of Texas as requested
• Document CFE implementation in Optima and prepare reporting

Volunteer Supervision and Case Management, as needed

Supervise and monitor overflow up to 10 CASA cases and volunteers, as needed, based on the number of children coming into care and caseloads of other CASA Staff. This would entail the following:

• Attend court hearings as necessary
• Attend emergency hearings as necessary
• Consult with appropriate DFPS staff regarding client needs and volunteer assignments
• Act as primary liaison with volunteers
• Provide assistance and consultation to volunteers as needed and when requested. Contact volunteers a minimum of once per month
• Notify volunteers well in advance of hearing dates
• Review court reports prior the hearing date
• Assess and record volunteer performance
• Maintain compliance with Texas CASA and National CASA standards
• Maintain orderly CASA case files

Strategic and Operational Plan

• Assist in the development of a Collaborative Family Engagement long-range plans and annual operational plans

Community Outreach Responsibilities

• Maintain effective     relationships      through      personal      contact     and written communication with other providers and resources for youth in foster care, professional and social service organizations, Texas CASA, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and University of Texas
• Engage in public speaking regarding the Collaborative Family Engagement project when appropriate

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in social service-related field. Ability to communicate with and empower volunteers, CASA staff, CPS personnel, and other CFE team members to be effective in their roles. Knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics within families in crises relating to child abuse and neglect. Experience working with such families given preference. Ability to work within a team atmosphere.

Other Requirements

• Submit to a child abuse and criminal background check Complete 30+ hour pre-service training
• Must maintain 12 hours of continuing education annually Valid driver’s license
• Must comply with all city, state, and federal laws

Interested individuals should send a CAFB employment application, cover letter and resume to Luisa Bowers at HRRM@cafb.org.

Director of Human Resources and Organizational Culture

Child Advocates of Fort Bend is a nonprofit agency serving children who have been abused and neglected find safety, healing and justice. This position reports directly to the CEO of Child Advocates of Fort Bend (the “Agency”) and represents HR on the executive team. Responsible for developing HR strategy, solutions, employee engagement, strategic workforce plans and HR budget to enable the Agency to perform optimally. Oversee HR operations and the HR Department for adherence to CAFB’s personnel policies and procedures and alignment with the Agency’s strategic plan. Lead organizational culture and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that work to enhance the work environment and uphold CAFB’s value of inclusivity.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Human Resources

• Develop and implement the Agency’s annual strategic HR plan, HR budget and Key Performance Indicators including the creation of new HR programs where needed.
• Provide leadership and supervision of HR staff.
• Implement strategy for talent acquisition for the Agency. Develop and implement recruiting strategy to attract top talent to the Agency, including organizational planning, reporting relationships, staff growth and need for specialized positions. Supervise hiring practices, onboarding of new employees and performance evaluation process.
• Oversee and advise management on matters related to employee salary and benefits including employee benefit program, 401K, performance evaluations, salary analyses and employee records processing.
• Develop leadership training programs addressing individual career growth and Agency workplace dynamics to enhance the work environment and impact employee tenure and retention.
• Mediate and suggest solutions to employee disputes while maintaining impartiality and utilizing techniques that are aligned with best HR practices.
• Coordinate activities with all other departments and programs to achieve alignment and commitment of HR practices across the Agency.
• Ensure all HR policies, practices, and protocols conform to legal requirements and best practices.

Organizational Culture

• Act as a catalyst for change; design and direct change management and communications. Act as a grounding force for senior leaders to drive towards solutions in a thoughtful and strategic manner.
• Initiate agency-wide trauma-informed initiatives for staff wellbeing to address secondary trauma resulting from serving children and families who have experienced abuse/neglect/trauma. Identify best practices for self-care and minimization of vicarious trauma and create opportunities for staff to implement.
• Facilitate and promote collaborative relationships between departments.
• Develop tangible, measurable, actionable improvements in organizational culture processes and protocols. Create and support a high performing culture among team members that is aligned with CAFB’s core values. Advise CEO and executive team.
• Support Agency’s culture by providing guidance to its leaders for internal communications, including coaching for messaging with words and actions, providing feedback, and soliciting employee input.
• Asist Agency’s leaders in aligning staff desires and priorities with Agency needs and goals.
• Regularly assess the culture of the Agency, providing outcomes to the CEO and incorporating improvements.
• Meet regularly with CEO and executive team to ensure cohesion and teamwork.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Lead Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative.
• Work with executive leadership team, management and employees to implement DEI practices and Learning Journey initiatives.
• Align DEI initiatives with Praesidium child safety best practices.
• Establish overall targets and outcome tracking to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion for staff and volunteers.
• Interface with Board Diversity Committee to align board goals with staff and volunteer DEI goals.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Is a people-person, likeable, easy to communicate with, compassionate and caring.
• Possesses leadership and managerial skills to oversee the HR department and work effectively with all employees within the Agency.
• Is highly organized and can multi-task in a busy environment.
• Is a proven problem solver and is able to deescalate employee issues and bring them to resolution.
• Is an effective communicator with employees, managers and directors at all levels. Is a team player.
• Is able to handle complex employee issues and sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Is technology and computer savvy and can perform necessary tasks with common office and HR programs.
• Is respectful and supportive of the work we do at CAFB with children who have been abused and neglected.
• Is honest, engenders trust from others, is impartial in dealing with employees and HR issues and adheres to the highest standards of ethical behavior and confidentiality.

Education/Experience/Requirements

• B.S. or B.A. with a degree in Human Resources, Business Management or closely related field. Master’s degree is preferred but not required.
• 6-10 years experience in a Human Resources field required
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) or Certified Professional (SHRM – CP) preferred. Other certifications in various HR subject matter areas can include SPHR (HRCI).
• Experience in nonprofit management preferred
• Demonstrated experience in team building and people management Experience in managing DEi programs and/or initiatives
• Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive reports, carry out assigned projects to their completion, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, and efficiently and effectively administer a personnel system.

Other Requirements

• Current Texas Drivers License
• Submit to child abuse and criminal background checks Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Must comply with all city, state & federal laws

Child Advocates of Fort Bend is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested individuals should send a CAFB employment application, cover letter and resume to Jane O’Dell at JOdell@cafb.org.

Child Advocates of Fort Bend is an equal opportunity employer.

CAFB adheres to a strict Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse Policy in our practices and operations.