What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Advocate position at Kids Central, Inc.?
Salary Range: $21.94 to $26.82 hourly
Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that provides you an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children? Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.
At Kids Central we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future. However sometimes children, and their families, need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. That is where we step in.
The Family Advocate facilitates and implements direct, strength-based services and engages families and children at risk of a removal episode. The Family Advocate works closely with other members of the system of care to provide services through a team approach to help the family remain intact.
The Family Advocate conducts home visits with the family and the safety monitor as specified in the Safety Plan to ensure the safety plan is being followed and the Family Advocate works with the family to help enhance their protective factors to help ensure the safety, wellbeing and permanency of the children in the home. Kids Central Inc. provides services within Circuit 5, which includes Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. Staff must be able to work in any of the five counties we support and serve.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Provides family preservation services to families in crisis.
- Respond to referrals in accordance with timeframes.
- Responsible for assessing initial risk and safety to the children and determining if program is appropriate for family.
- Work with families to identify needs for service and make appropriate referrals to meet those needs.
- Connects family with all needed services within the community.
- Conducts announced and unannounced home visits.
- Administers Drug and Alcohol screens as needed
- Conducts a joint home visit with the referring investigator or case manager.
- Maintains ongoing communication with the referral source throughout the course of the case.
- Follows up and obtains information and recommendations from all providers working with the family.
- Monitors child and family progress in the implementation and execution of the safety plan
- Follow all program policies and procedures to ensure the protection and safety of children in the program’s care.
- Maintain case records for all families and input services provided and assessments into FSFN within the required 48 business hours.
- Ensure all documents related to the family are maintain in the families file and are uploaded into FSFN.
- Must be willing and able to work after hours, be on call and deal with emergency situations.
- Must be able to work independently and be able to manage time appropriately.
- May be called to testify in court.
- Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping Supervisor and Director informed of all critical issues.
- Must be Mission Driven and have the ability to demonstrate a strong commitment to Kids Central’s mission to engage communities, strengthen families and protect children,
- Contribute to the development of Kids Central’s strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization.
- Demonstrate proficient use Microsoft Outlook calendar.
- Utilize the APD system to clock in and out.
- Complete and submit mileage to the Supervisor for approval on a bi-weekly basis.
- Effectively facilitate meetings at all levels.
- Maintain a positive working relationship with customers, residents, co-workers and vendors, returning all phone calls, emails and referrals within 24 hours.
- Convey a professional, positive image within the community and with customers, residents, vendors, and staff members.
- Respect the confidentiality of clients.
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to prioritize their work, and work efficiently to ensure all tasks are completed in a timely manner.
- Identify, educate, develop, and maintain relationships with community partners to benefit and support families in the community.
- Work with community partners on sustainability planning and new resource development.
- Act as a liaison between Kids Central and the community by gathering and relaying community specific needs.
- Utilize KCIConnect.org to refer families to services.
- Work in a teamwork atmosphere with other staff members.
- Undertake special projects, as requested. Other assigned duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in social work or related human services field with three years’ experience in child welfare or a related human services field. Master's degree in social work or other related human services field with two years’ experience in child welfare or related human services field preferred. Child Protection Professional Certification- required.
Other Requirements
Ability to successfully clear a Level II Background Screen as required by Florida Statute and DCF.
Possess a valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by the agency’s current insurance carrier.
Must meet eligibility to transport clients, including 100,000/300,000 Liability Insurance, possess an acceptable driving record, and have reliable transportation
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Ability to meet Kids Central Organizational Required Competency standards
- Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Small group meeting management and Family Team Conferencing
- Elevated knowledge of community services in all facets
- Proficiency in FSFN (Florida’s Safe Family Network)
- Ability to work effectively under high stress situations
- Training in abuse and neglect of children
- Competence in identifying risk and safety
- Ability to write risk assessments
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (MS Excel, MS Word, MS Outlook).
- Ability to travel (65% of time or more).
- Efficient time management and scheduling. Ability to work independently.
This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. Kids Central reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally in an office environment, but may also be required to visit other settings such as a client’s home, court, or other agencies. The noise level is usually moderate.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms. The employee must also frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee is regularly required to bend/stoop and kneel. Repetitive motion is also required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Operations Advocate
GRACE Marketplace -
Gainesville, FL
Prevention Advocate
CASA -
Inverness, FL
Customer Advocate
Essex Mortgage -
Ocala, FL
