Family Advocate

Description

Job Title:             Family Advocate

Department:     Case Management

Reports To:         Supervisor of Family Advocates

Status:                 Exempt

Salary:                  $38,000

Job Functions: The Family Advocate provides mobile case management services; evaluates and assesses immediate needs; coaches clients in the development of case plans; functions as a liaison between clients, community service providers and program component staff. In addition, the Family Advocate connects families with services and coordinates all First Hug services for families.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide mobile social work services (home visits) to First Hug families, developing a case plan, coordinating all First Hug services for families, and directing clients to other areas of assistance.
• Maintain minimum weekly contact to track family’s progress.
• Maintains up to date client case notes, history, and data, utilizing best practices to keep client information confidential.
• Generates and compiles client outcomes and reports within Unity and Excel for reporting to funders for program.
• Keep confidential records up to date and according to the Code of Ethics.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Coordinate with all Metropolitan Ministries programs staff to ensure each service will be utilized to best meet the needs of the family. Incorporate all staff in follow-through of service utilization.
• Visit and meet with community service providers, service organizations and institutions which prove beneficial to the maintenance of First Hug families.
• Meet personal goals and actively contributes to the achievement of team and organizational targets/goals as stated on the KPI and in the annual plan. Support team in other tasks as assigned. Attend all required staff meetings and on-going trainings.
• Support the holiday tent operations as directed. Support the team in other tasks as assigned. Meet personal goals and actively contribute to the achievement if the team and organizational targets/goals as stated on the Balanced Scorecard and in the annual plan.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in the human services field and two years of work experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Must be knowledgeable about homeless issues, with experience working with individuals with mental health/substance abuse issues and/or be willing to seek continuing education related to the homeless population with opportunities for certification or licensure.

Skill Requirements:

Bilingual (Spanish) preferred. Must be able to work within a multi-disciplinary team framework; strong interpersonal skills; strong oral and written communications skills; dependability; demonstrates maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in clients served; ability to handle job related matters in a professional, diplomatic, and confidential manner; willing to work with minimal supervision, yet be able to accept direction; well organized and detail oriented.

Requires heart for ministry and comfort working with poor and homeless families and individuals. Requires understanding of poverty, a high degree of maturity, strong inter-personal skills and the ability to work with low socio-economic and diverse populations facing crisis situations in a professional and diplomatic manner. Knowledge of community resources available to homeless population. Must demonstrate maturity and sensitivity to issues of faith, culture, and other sources of diversity. Ability to work as part of a team within a multi-disciplinary framework.

Ability to offer services where homeless families are staying (car, tent, motels, and housing not fit for habitation). Ability to deescalate clients on the edge of verbal or physical violence. Ability to work as part of a team within a multi-disciplinary framework. Demonstrates computer literacy with knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. Requires oral and written communication skills and the ability to write reports and conduct and participate in meetings.

Physical Requirements:

Hearing and speaking ability, which allows for effective oral communication; physical and emotional stamina to effectively handle job related issues and stress.

Other:

Must pass applicable pre-employment screening and demonstrate legal authorization to work in the United States.

PM21