Adoption Program Family Advocate

CMFCAA•Columbia, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Advocate primarily works with foster, adoptive, and guardianship families, providing support with pre- and post-adoptive services. These advocacy services help families remain committed and effective as they raise children. The Family Advocate also helps families understand their rights as foster, adoptive, or guardianship providers. The role establishes outreach efforts and enrolls eligible families and children in resource services. It helps families access community resources and assesses family well-being, needs, and strengths across seven domains. The Family Advocate completes needs and goals assessments, maintains proper documentation, and helps families interpret external reports and evaluations, including their implications and purpose. The position participates in ongoing meetings, professional memberships, and trainings as needed. The position is based in Columbia, Missouri, and involves moderate travel. It reports to the Family Advocacy Supervisor and has no direct reports. The organization serves foster, adoptive, and kinship children, youth, and families in central Missouri through education, support, advocacy, services, and community partnerships.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a closely related field.
Two or more years of experience in education, counseling, case management, or a closely related area.
Knowledge of foster care and adoption processes and community-based resources.
Knowledge of barriers affecting access to mental health, educational, and legal services for families in foster, adoptive, and guardianship homes.
Knowledge of benefit coordination and resource utilization.
Skill in advocating for families.
Ability to work with youth with trauma and diverse families.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and properly document case notes.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend appointments.
Valid driver’s license.
Reliable transportation.
Completion of required background checks.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain outreach efforts and ensure eligible families and children enroll in resource services.
Help families find and use community resources, including medical, dental, social, legal, educational, and occupational services.
Assess families across seven domains to evaluate well-being, needs, and strengths.
Complete family needs and goals assessments and maintain proper documentation.
Help families interpret external reports and evaluations and explain their implications and purpose.
Participate in ongoing meetings, professional memberships, and trainings as needed.
Help foster, adoptive, and guardianship families understand their rights and provide pre- and post-adoptive support.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision premiums covered 100% for the employee and 10% for dependents.
Employer-paid $25,000 Aflac life insurance plan, with elective additional coverage for dependents and spouses/partners.
3% 401(k) match.
15 paid holidays plus one floating holiday.
8 hours of annual leave per month.
8 hours of sick leave per month.
Mileage reimbursement at the federal rate.
Use of a company vehicle.
Casual dress.
Employee Assistance Program.