Client Advocate

The District of Columbia Childrens Advocacy Center • Washington, DC

198d • $62,800

About The Position

As a Client Advocate, you would provide advocacy, crisis intervention, systems navigation, emotional support, and referrals to families impacted by sexual abuse, physical abuse, and other forms of violence. You would also work directly with non-offending caregivers to support the caregiver in providing support to child victims, their siblings, and any other secondary victims. The focus of advocacy is to help reduce trauma for the child and family members and to support cases in achieving best outcomes. This position helps caregivers identify and access services the family may need and acts as a liaison with the Multidisciplinary Team, supporting the child and family throughout the investigative process. This in-person position is subject to modification or hybrid work based on programmatic needs. The incumbent must participate in an on-call rotation for after-hours and weekend forensic interviewing and advocacy. This position is a mandated reporter for child abuse and neglect under District of Columbia Statute §4-1321.02.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in social work, mental health, counseling, or a related field.
• A minimum of two (2) full years of professional experience working with adult caregivers of children who have experienced abuse and trauma.
• Ability to work effectively with caregivers, children, and adolescents.
• Ability to work effectively with MDT partners, including child welfare social workers, law enforcement officers, medical and mental health professionals, and other government and judicial agencies.
• Knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of child development, child sexual abuse, trauma, family violence, and sexual violence.
• Ability to successfully pass Child Protection Registry clearance and criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of Washington, D.C., including the needs and histories of local communities, locally available supportive resources, and the social services and regulatory context of the nation’s capital.
• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field.
• Formal training and/or certification as a victim advocate or crisis counselor.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Licensure as an LGPC, LPC, LGSW, or LICSW.

Responsibilities

• Provide support, education, and crisis intervention to non-offending caregivers, secondary victims/survivors, and children during the forensic interview process.
• Meet with non-offending caregivers to assess social service and crime victims' compensation needs, connect them with child-serving community-based agencies, and follow up to ensure services are obtained.
• Provide information to the non-offending caregivers regarding trauma and the impact of trauma on children, adolescents, and families.
• Provide caregivers with educational information about available support and service resources, crime victim rights, and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) investigation process.
• Participate in the MDT process by coordinating client services, as needed, with clinical staff and MDT members (attorneys, law enforcement, social workers, and medical personnel).
• Provide accompaniment to clients as needed for housing referrals, school support, or court accompaniment.
• Troubleshoot barriers to accessing services with clients and community service agencies.
• Assist the family in accessing services the team recommends and provide immediate and ongoing follow-up as needed.
• Steward children and non-offending caregivers throughout the investigative process.
• Partnering with Advocates on the Youth Advocacy Team to support adolescent victims/survivors.
• Act as an advocate/liaison between families and law enforcement, child protective services, medical and mental health service providers, and the prosecutor’s office.
• Assist in developing information and resources to support children and caregivers.
• Perform a safety assessment of the family and develop and recommend a safety plan in cases when appropriate.
• Participate in regular individual supervision, staff meetings, multidisciplinary (MDT) meetings, in-service training, professional development, and other meetings as required.
• Provide 24-hour on-call crisis intervention and advocacy services as assigned.
• Provide supervision of clients on the program floor, engaging clients in the waiting/play areas and assessing play/learning levels for age-appropriate activities and preparing and serving light snacks/meals.
• Assist in and lead the facilitation of client groups.
• Maintain and assure quality and confidentiality of electronic and paper files, statistical tracking, and inventory.
• Arrange or order emergency clothing or other material/referral resources for clients.
• Assist in maintaining material needs such as the clothing closet or youth activity program food and toys, as needed.
• Assist in the implementation of Safe Shores seasonal drives, as needed.

Benefits

• Total Compensation: Starting salary of $62,800.
• 100% employer-paid medical (PPO with lots of provider options), dental, and vision insurance for the current 2024-2025 plan year.
• Birthday Comp Day (your birthday is a holiday for you!).
• Annual Professional Development Fund.
• 13 days of paid vacation leave.
• 13 days of paid sick leave.
• 13 days of paid holidays.
• Paid personal leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Wellness stipend.
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employee appreciation and wellness events.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (Employer contribution after one year of service).
• Essential oils and diffusers for employee workspaces.
• Paid sabbatical leave for employees with a five or more consecutive years tenure.

What This Job Offers

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