Case Manager Advocate
About The Position
The Case Manager Advocate functions as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide a professional, child-friendly environment supporting the investigation of child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse. The role provides assessments, education for children and non-offending caretakers, connections to resources, and short-term crisis intervention. The advocate supports families on an ongoing basis until case and/or court disposition. The position serves as a liaison among families, the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), and the multidisciplinary team; coordinates referrals and follow-up; and helps families understand the investigative and court processes. The advocate maintains case files and required data, follows CAC protocols and confidentiality requirements, participates in training and team activities, and may provide court support or testimony as needed. This is a full-time, day-shift position based at the Madison County Wood River Facility in Wood River, Illinois. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, two years of related experience serving children and families, a valid Illinois driver’s license, and Madison County residency are required.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in human services or a similar field related to the CAC mission, such as social work, criminal justice, public administration, or counseling.
- Two years of related experience providing services to children and families.
- Valid Illinois Driver’s License.
- Madison County residency.
- Ability to walk or move up to 200 feet from the primary desk; occasional standing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching; and occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds.
Responsibilities
- Contact caregivers to confirm appointments, complete a brief intake, screen for special needs or accommodations, and provide applicable crisis intervention.
- Welcome children and families to the Center, ensure required consents and releases are completed, and explain the CAC model, procedures, and interview process.
- Collect family history and demographic information and conduct individualized assessments of non-offending caretakers and child victims relevant to investigations and needed services.
- Provide relevant information to multidisciplinary team members before, during, and after child interviews, at staffings, and during follow-up.
- Educate non-offending caretakers about child abuse and the court process; provide information about victim compensation and coordinate with the Victim Witness Advocate Program when appropriate.
- Assist families with crisis intervention and connect them with community resources, including medical and mental health services.
- Educate families about child development, trauma impacts, counseling benefits, participation in the investigative process, and victim rights.
- Coordinate with the onsite mental health provider, including monthly meetings with the therapy program.
- Serve as a liaison between families and the multidisciplinary team during and after Center visits and through case disposition in child protection and criminal justice systems.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team case staffings and provide relevant information until case disposition.
- Appear in court as needed and testify in court or DCFS administrative hearings upon request.
- Provide ongoing follow-up and case-status updates to families in accordance with CAC and case management program policies.
- Complete required role-specific and cross-disciplinary training and continuing education; independently review new research on child abuse and trauma.
- Participate in CAC staff, team, supervisory, multidisciplinary, and case-review meetings, and engage in productive supervision and case-file and peer reviews.
- Complete reports on time and maintain case files and related documents according to program policies.
- Collect data for funders, satisfaction surveys, and other assigned purposes; maintain knowledge of outcome measurement, storage, and data management systems.
- Follow the CAC protocol for coordinated responses to child sexual abuse and severe physical abuse, and perform duties described in the case management program manual and CAC policies.
- Assist with trial preparation and court proceedings, provide case updates to families and the team, and offer court education, tours, support, and accompaniment as needed.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable laws governing confidential information.
- Assist with training new CAC staff and multidisciplinary team members when appropriate and requested.
- Remain familiar with NCA Standards of Accreditation and contribute to CAC compliance with current standards.
- Maintain mandated reporter training and report child abuse to the hotline or law enforcement as appropriate.
- Represent the CAC in community education and awareness activities and participate in fundraising initiatives.
- Contribute constructively to the CAC and multidisciplinary team work environment and perform other reasonably related assigned duties.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
