Child Advocate

Job Title: Child Advocate

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Director of Survivor Support Services

Job Purpose

Provide information, activities, information, support, and assistance to children and their parent survivor of domestic and/or sexual violence who are receiving services through YWCA programs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Case Manager for children and families residing in shelter, while also supporting advocacy, programming, and service coordination for children participating in Community Survivor Services, including Bridges and Bliss programs.
• Provide developmental, recreational, and educational opportunities/activities for children.
• Safety plan with children.
• Provide the child’s mother with non-violent options for discipline.
• Provide or assist the child’s mother with accessing childcare options for internal groups and external employment.
• Assist in arranging transportation for the child to attend school.
• Assist in children’s food program implementation and documentation.
• Facilitate evening child support/educational groups.
• Maintain confidentiality of all service recipients in compliance with state and federal law and YWCA policy.
• Provide information and assistance to victims in filing for Crime Victims Compensation.
• Maintain knowledge of Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reported requirements and promptly report suspected abuse and neglect in accordance with state law.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required and/or assigned.
• Commitment to the YWCA mission of Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women.
• Other related duties as required and/or assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services field or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Knowledge of domestic & sexual violence dynamics preferred.
• Prior experience working with children.
• Knowledge of community resources preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively engage and build relationships with diverse populations.
• Ability to work flexible hours, which may include evenings and weekends.
• Access to private transportation, valid driver's license with insurance complying with minimum agency standards.
• Must be able to pass State Child Abuse/Neglect screening & Criminal Background Check.

Working Conditions

• Forty (40) hour workweek with flexibility to meet guests’ needs and/or deadlines.
• Employee works in an office environment and is protected from weather conditions and contaminants.

Physical Requirements

• Standing or sitting for long periods, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting.
• Repetitive hand motion (such as typing)
• Ability, on a consistent basis, to perform activities requiring cooperation, instruction, persuasion, or speaking with others
• Ability to communicate effectively in person with consumers

Personal Characteristics

The successful individual will demonstrate the following:

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and professional boundaries and ensure your own behavior is consistent with professional ethical standards.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the organization’s goals of empowering women and eliminating racism.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Guests Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to needs of guests.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of guests and the organization.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Technological Aptitude: Understand software applications and maintain skills necessary to effectively perform key responsibilities through the use of company-utilized programs.

***YWCA St. Joseph provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by the federal, state, or local laws***