Bilingual Clinical Family Advocate

The Bilingual Clinical Family Advocate is responsible for providing case management and short-term clinical counseling 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 Case management and clinical counseling include, but are not limited to, ongoing case coordination, mental health crisis management, and brief-targeted evidence-based interventions. The Bilingual Clinical 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 Clinical Family Advocate must have knowledge of, and the ability to apply, social work theory, methods, and techniques as well as have a knowledge of post-traumatic stress symptoms, stages of development, and required crisis intervention techniques.  The Bilingual Clinical Family Advocate is not only responsible for providing supportive counseling but must also be able to work professionally and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team setting and possess strong oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Sessions for Forensic Interview Clients

• 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.
• Provide crisis intervention to children interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention to caregivers at the point of the forensic interview.
• Conduct trauma screenings with child victims and children in crisis following the forensic interview to implement necessary therapeutic interventions.
• Provide emergency screens to further assess the mental status of clients who are in emotional distress and are expressing thoughts of self-harm, suicidal and/or homicidal ideations, or are currently experiencing psychotic symptoms.
• Conduct trauma screenings with caregivers and utilize clinical judgment to make appropriate psychotherapy and diagnostic referrals.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments of clients to identify the needs and ensure that children and families have appropriate resources to heal from their abuse experience.
• Refer and connect Spanish speaking clients to community providers who are equipped to engage, support, and meet the needs of Spanish speaking clients.
• Assess and provide treatment through motivational interviewing, single session therapy, brief targeted interventions, solution focused therapy, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, and resource coordination to appropriately address post-traumatic symptoms.
• 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 through psychoeducation.
• Ensure understanding of investigative process and the dynamics of sexual abuse through psychoeducation.

Ongoing Client Support

• Provides 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.
• Note all case activity and maintain case tracking documentation.

Outreach

• 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.

Professional Development

• Participate in training to enhance professional skills and development and maintain licensure.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Social Work or related field and with a minimum of one-year direct experience working with sexually and physically abused children.
• LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LPC-A
• Bilingual required.

Other Requirements: 

• Complete 40+ hour pre-service training
• Submit to a child abuse and criminal background check
• Bending, stooping, reaching and other movement required.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs
• Valid driver’s license
• Must comply with all city, state & federal laws
• On Call weekly rotation

Interested individuals should complete a CAFB employment application and send it, along with a cover letter and resume to HRRM@cafb.org.

 

 

 

Clinical Intake Specialist

The Clinical Intake Specialist effectively refers individuals to mental health services at the CAC or outside providers by strictly adhering to eligibility criteria and therapy capacity. The Clinical Intake Specialist has the primary responsibility of conducting trauma-informed Clinical Assessments with a focus on evaluating adverse experiences of child sexual abuse, the impact on functioning, and traumatic symptoms following CAC Forensic Interviews. Clinical Assessments will be completed prior to ongoing therapeutic or psychological services for children who have disclosed child sexual abuse, exploitation, or severe child maltreatment and offer support to their non-offending caregivers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct trauma-informed clinical assessments and refer to ongoing therapy services
• Assess level of trauma, family dynamics, behavioral concerns, and age-appropriate language.
• Attend training on assessment, brief interventions, and evidence-based treatment for child abuse.
• Attend triage meetings and multidisciplinary case staffing to discuss assessments
• Participate in peer review and stay up to date on current literature to maintain a high a level of assessments skills.
• Ability to maintain a minimum caseload of 10 clients

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Master’s Degree in mental health (Counseling, Social Work, or Marriage and Family Therapy) with a license to practice independently.

Experience:

• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in working with children/young adults who have experienced child sexual abuse, child maltreatment, or trauma-related populations.
• Minimum of 2 years conducting clinical assessments

Licensure:

• Licensed mental health provider (Licensed Professional Counselor; Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of the dynamics of sexual abuse and trauma.
• A hospitable disposition, skill in public relations, and a patient, objective, non-judgmental attitude.
• Strong organization skills, reliability, computer skills, flexibility, and ability to work independently and on a team.
• Ability to assess age-appropriate language, verbal and non-verbal communication, and exceptional recall abilities.

PREFERENCES

Language:

• Bilingual in Spanish – Verbal and written (preferred)

Training/Experience:

• Demonstrated training and experience with child maltreatment, the child welfare system or child advocacy centers (preferred)
• Demonstrated training and experience conducting assessments of children (preferred)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Hours:

• Regular Full-Time position
• Monday-Thursday, Friday Half-day
• 40 Hours per week

Additional Information:

• Required to pass CPS and Criminal Background Check

Interested individuals should complete a CAFB employment application and send it, along with a cover letter and resume to HRRM@cafb.org.

 

 

 

Court Advocacy Specialist

The Court Advocacy Specialist is responsible for supervising and evaluating advocates appointed to serve children in foster care.  The goal is to provide advocates with supervision and monitoring to ensure children’s best interest are being met while involved in the legal system. In addition, this position assists with advocate recruitment, screening, and training of advocates as well as program development, tracking and evaluation.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

        Advocates and Casework

• Supervise and monitor up to 30 advocates and up to 45 cases. Provide consultation, problem solving, troubleshooting, feedback, guidance, evaluation, motivation, training, monitoring and preparation for court appearances.  Demonstrate knowledge of each case’s history and pertinent advocacy issues.
• Monitor CASA’s involvement in these cases and case activity, while assuring that Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s policy and practice standards and sound case management practices are followed.
• Attend court hearings as necessary
• Attend emergency hearings as necessary
• Consult with appropriate DFPS staff regarding client needs and advocate assignments
• Act as primary liaison with advocates. Release and reassign advocates whose advocacy is inappropriate or detrimental.
• Provide assistance and consultation to advocates as needed and when requested. Contact volunteers a minimum of once per month
• Notify advocates well in advance of hearing dates
• Review court reports prior the hearing date
• Assess and record advocate performance
• Maintain compliance with Texas CASA and National CASA standards
• Maintain orderly CASA case file

        Volunteer Training

• Assist with the design and implementation of volunteer pre-service and in-service trainings
• Participate in quarterly training sessions
• Provide training to other CASA Programs as needed

        Collaboration and Outreach

• Participate in public awareness and community outreach
• Coordinate assigned activities with key stakeholders in the community

Financial and Records

• Assist in preparing outcome reports for grants
• Collect and tabulate program effectiveness measures

Program Activities

• Attend all available conferences and workshops for the development of programs for advocates
• Participate in program implementation, evaluation and planning
• Attend monthly staff meetings
• Serve on appropriate community committees and task forces
• Participate in planning for all CASA programs

Strategic and Operational Plan

• Assist in the development of a CASA long-range plan and annual operational plans

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field with at least 3 years’ experience working with services for children and adolescents.  Strong project management skills and ability to work independently with a wide variety of people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.  Highly organized and detail oriented.  Use computers and program related softwar5e proficiently, ability to develop and design a program for advocates and children/youth and evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Other Requirements

• Pass a child abuse and criminal background check
• Complete 40+ hour pre-service training
• Must maintain 12 hours of continuing education annually
• 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
• Perform other duties as assigned

Interested individuals should complete a CAFB employment application and send it, along with a cover letter and resume to HRRM@cafb.org.

 

 

 

Multi-Disciplinary Team Coordinator (MDT Coordinator)

Works closely with law enforcement, Children’s Protective Services and the District Attorney’s office to facilitate the coordination of the team to ensure that all children in need of Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) services are referred for those services. Build and strengthens relationships within the team to enhance the collaboration among agencies.

Responsibilities:

• Review Department of Family and Protective Services statewide intake reports
• Assess cases to determine if they meet criteria of CAC Working Protocols
• Facilitate collaborative investigation and forensic interviews by reaching out to CPS, law enforcement and other agencies as needed
• Coordinate team building and training for team members
• Responsible for new team orientations
• Coordinate and participate in case review team meetings
• Maintain detailed statistics of intakes reviewed and scheduled for forensic interviews or other CAC services
• Work closely with Forensic Interviewers and Children’s Services Coordinators to streamline scheduling of interviews
• Maintain cross-cultural awareness in the performance of all responsibilities
• Participate in the CAC on-call program
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social science, criminal justice or related field.  Experience in social service delivery; experience in areas of criminal justice, CPS, or victim services. Professional demeanor and very strong interpersonal skills.

Job Skills:

• Ability to work with diverse disciplines on a daily basis
• Ability to develop professional relationships and facilitate relationship building among others
• Ability to work in high stress situations
• Ability to work within complex criminal justice systems
• Ability to solve problems

Other Requirements

• Current Texas Driver’s License
• Submit to a child abuse and criminal background check
• Willingness and ability to travel
• Ability to lift 20 lbs
• Complete 40+ hour pre-service training
• Complete MDT Training through CACTX

Interested individuals should complete a CAFB employment application and send it, along with a cover letter and resume to HRRM@cafb.org.

 

 

CAFB employment application

 

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.

 

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