Child and Family Advocate

Golden Eagle Casino

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Child and Family Advocate is a full-time position located in the Tribal Victim Services (TVS) Program within the Social Services Department and is directly supervised by the Social Services Director. The Child and Family Advocate position serves and protects the rights, safety, and well-being of child/youth victims of abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse. The Child and Family Advocate provides core services to child/youth victims of abuse, harm, and/or neglect and their non-offending family members, including: offering critical support, assessing needs, providing information and referrals, assisting with navigating systems (court, education, social, etc.), developing safety plans, advocating for the child/youth in various settings, assisting with court processes or forms, and much more. The Child and Family Advocate, in consultation and coordination with the Social Service Director and other personnel, is responsible for creating, supporting, and maintaining program services that are consistent with the culture, practices, and values of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas (KTIK).

Requirements

• Experience working with children and families in crisis situations.
• Understand and be able to apply knowledge of child development, impacts and symptoms of trauma, and trauma-informed care.
• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in human services; native studies; psychology; social work; or a related field; or an associate's degree with at least 5 years of work experience in advocacy.
• Be a self-starter who is highly motivated, embodies integrity in word and action, and possesses empathy, resilience, and a strong work ethic.
• Hold a minimum of one year in work experience in a social welfare agency, sexual assault response program, or domestic violence advocacy program.
• Possess the ability to work independently as well as within a team environment while maintaining positive and constructive working relationships with colleagues.
• Hold knowledge of child welfare laws and regulations.
• Be proficient in case management strategies, interviewing techniques, relationship building, and conflict resolution.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Have strong skills related to having hard conversations in respectful ways.
• Have a strong understanding of family and criminal court systems, child welfare systems, and advocacy practices.
• Be available to respond to emergency situations after hours according to the On Call Rotation Schedule within the Social Services Department.
• Have the ability to access and use multiple forms of electronic communication methods, experience and knowledge about operating databases and record-keeping systems, and proficiency in computer skills, including use of the Microsoft Suite of programs.
• Have the ability and desire to understand, gain knowledge of, and appreciate the uniqueness of Tribal culture and customs.
• Possess strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
• Have the ability to effectively communicate in writing and orally as well as the ability to follow instructions.
• Be drug free and able to pass a background check and drug screening.
• Hold and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license that is free of restrictions.
• Have no felony convictions, nor any criminal conviction involving violence, dishonesty or fraud.
• Understand the basic principles of human behavior and applied psychology, including trauma-informed interviewing, common trauma responses, and impacts of trauma; advanced interviewing techniques; basic research and investigative methods/procedures; principles and practices of written and oral communication; language mechanics, report writing and principles of written composition; and general computer operations.
• Have the ability to interview children and adults and obtain factual information in stressful situations; listen carefully during interviews to both content and presentation in order to identify the most relevant and important information; interpret and apply complex laws, policies, and procedures using considerable judgment; communicate effectively with a variety of people, both orally and in writing; effectively handle difficult situations; work well under pressure; develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of people; utilize computers to retrieve and enter information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within/for a Native American Tribe/Tribal Community.
• Related experience of at least five years working with children and families in crisis situations.
• Have a master's degree, or other advanced degree, from an accredited college/university in social work or a related field.
• Hold a valid license or certification in a behavioral science (LMSW, CADC, LPC, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Greet and engage all persons entering the Social Service Department with respect.
• Collaborate effectively and consistently with the Social Service Director, Social Service colleagues, employees from other KTIK Departments, and the Tribal Community to create and maintain programs rooted in traditional Kickapoo values.
• Determine available local resources within the Kickapoo community and surrounding area for minor victims and their families. Additionally, engage in consistent and ongoing outreach efforts to facilitate the identification of critical local resources to better meet the needs of all service participants.
• Research available resources within other Native Nations, state and public agencies, and community-based service providers. Establish and cultivate partnerships with potential resources to increase the volume and accessibility of resources to minor victims and their families.
• Develop a community needs assessment followed by a written Strategic Plan outlining steps to enhance and sustain services to child victims and their families at Kickapoo Social Services.
• Complete necessary data-entry duties, service-related forms, and various reports.
• Attend trainings – virtual, local, state-level, and national when available and applicable to the functions of the position and as allowed within the project budget.
• Create and maintain accurate and up-to-date written/hard copy and electronic records for every assigned case.
• Advocate on behalf of the minor victim and/or family in educational, social, legal, and other areas when needed.
• Provide support and guidance to families, parents, and caregivers to help them heal from secondary trauma and to help them meet the needs of the minor victim.
• Schedule forensic interviews for children or youth from accredited child advocacy centers or certified forensic interview programs when warranted and appropriate based on the needs of the minor victim and their family.
• Participate in collaborative meetings to coordinate appropriate and effective services with the Intake and Investigation Specialist who assigns cases following the completion of an Intake.
• Provide an array of core services to the minor victim and their non-offending family members including safety planning, crisis care, critical support, information and referrals, assistance navigating systems, assistance with preparing for court and court processes/forms, and other appropriate and useful services based on the particular needs of the minor victim and their family.
• Participate in monthly Criminal Justice Coordination Meetings with all relevant and related criminal system personnel to establish a coordinated and consistent response to child abuse and neglect across systems and departments at the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas.
• Complete case notes and/or spreadsheets to track case activities and ensure all records, files, and documents are promptly completed and kept updated.
• Complete risk assessments, safety assessments, needs assessments, and other types of assessments as part of services when appropriate and useful. Use assessments to help evaluate the safety, risks, needs, and functioning of the child or family.
• Engage in one-on-one conversations with children and adults using approved and appropriate interviewing techniques to assess needs, determine and clarify problems, and engage in solution-focused discussions aimed at overcoming barriers and addressing issues, including the use of culturally appropriate and traditional methods.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and cultural humility when performing all duties.
• Adhere to professional ethics, KTIK Code of Conduct, and high-performance standards when carrying out all duties of the position.
• Respond in a timely manner to all calls, emails, voicemails, or other attempted contact. Be responsive to all collaborative partners, colleagues, service participants, and community members.
• Represent the Kickapoo Social Services Department in meetings or events, when requested by the Social Services Director.
• Perform public relations activities such as addressing community groups, attending conferences, serving on task forces and committees, as directed or requested by the Social Services Director.
• Conduct regular outreach efforts related to child/youth abuse and neglect, advocacy services, and other related topics.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Social Services Director as needed or requested.

Benefits

• The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees