Family Advocate

City of Rock Island•Rock Island, IL

About The Position

The Family Advocate's job is to provide advocacy, counseling and case management services to children and families who have emotional or behavioral challenges referred by The Department of Children and Family Services or designated agencies. Promotion of quality services, family empowerment, and provision of support to family members are central features of this position.

Requirements

Minimum education requirement of BA/BSW and 3 years experience in social services or related field.
Knowledge of community resources and counseling/social work practices with high risk populations.
Strong team building, problem solving, organizational, and oral communication skills are necessary.
Demonstrated knowledge of multiple cultures and the cultural impact on the delivery of services.
Experience working with persons in crisis.
Good documentation skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to establish rapport.
Ability to motivate others towards achieving goals.
Ability to work independently with strong sense of focus, task-oriented, nonjudgmental, open personal qualities, clear sense of boundaries.
A strong sense of and respect for confidentiality involving both clients and fellow employees.
Ability to work in a variety of settings with culturally-diverse families and communities with the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
Ability to legally operate a motor vehicle and provide own transportation.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive case management services to all clients including: intake assessment, benefit assessment, goal setting, long-term case development, weekly case plan development, progress monitoring, advocacy and referrals.
Maintain the assigned caseload of families.
Meet with clients weekly or bi-weekly for up to 6 months.
Connect families with needed and available community resources.
Follow-up with clients and agencies as appropriate to document use/success of referral.
Input accurate and complete data for all contacts with clients into agency database.
Ensure that all documents/reports submitted on behalf of a client are valid.
Provide all required documentation/reports in a timely manner, which may include client follow-up, outcome evaluation, client contact sheets, and evaluations.
Participate in regular staff meetings, staff training programs, supervisory sessions, and accept the responsibility for aiding the development of positive team relationships as requested.
Adhere to agency policy, procedures and the professional code of ethics.
Performs related duties as assigned.