Survivor Advocate

BCFS Health & Human Services•Leesville, LA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The advocate is responsible for using sound professional judgment and best practices to ensure quality case management, mentoring, and advocacy services are provided to the service population, especially in crisis situations, while maintaining compliance with established program, state, and federal standards. This role involves providing comprehensive, trauma-informed service and safety planning, including immediate risk reduction and short-term therapeutic interventions. The advocate will independently coordinate referrals, service planning, and documentation for their caseload, accept crisis calls, and provide support to families in crisis. They will conduct comprehensive assessments, develop treatment plans, and make independent decisions in the field regarding the safety and well-being of assigned children and families, completing in-home family preservation services as assigned. The position also requires acting as a liaison with stakeholders such as legal providers, child protection, law enforcement, and federal partners, ensuring adherence to program and local protocols. Participation in community meetings and direct advocacy with stakeholders for child services is expected. The role involves approximately 75% travel throughout the region, including overnight stays and frequent use of personal vehicles, and requires meeting all deadlines set by the program supervisor and federal partners. A working knowledge of all Human Trafficking Interdiction policies and procedures is essential.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, sociology, or closely related field of study.
Personal or professional experience with victims of human trafficking, victims of child abuse and neglect, or youth experiencing homelessness and/or addiction.
2-3 years case management and/or crisis intervention experience.
Demonstrate mastery of comprehensive safety, resiliency, and mental health assessment.
Maintain current licenses and certificates required for the position including but not limited to First Aid, CPR, Emergency Behaviour Intervention, Office of the Attorney General Sexual Abuse Program, State Driver License.
Possess current auto insurance and provide verification upon request.
Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screens and always maintain emotional control and professional composure.
Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request.
Pass a pre-employment and biennial criminal background checks.
Respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
Communicate effectively in writing and verbally in English.
Continuously demonstrate the 12 essential characteristics of an effective advocate.
Work in a fast-paced environment and always maintain emotional control and professional composure.
Maintain computer literacy required to meet the responsibilities of the position.
Work effectively and without intensive supervision both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Adapt immediately to changes in the field.
Must receive a COVID vaccination and an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved exemption from BCFS Health and Human Services, as a medical or religious accommodation.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

Spanish communication is an asset.

Responsibilities

Maintain compliance with all federal and state regulatory guidelines and standards that are applicable to this position.
Continually assess ongoing changes in behavior, circumstances or conditions that may affect child safety. Assessment must be child-focused, trauma-informed, and meet program quality expectations.
Provide family preservation interventions, including comprehensive safety planning and clinically informed stabilization planning.
Provide feedback and support to crisis line staff to ensure an appropriate response to crisis calls, families’ needs are addressed through best possible supports, and follow ups are conducted as needed.
Ensure immediate responsiveness for all referrals and crises for assigned caseload.
Engage and involve children and their caregivers in the casework process.
Maintain a case load in accordance with agency policies and procedures and licensing and contract standards.
Document progress that children and their family/caregivers make toward risk reduction, achievement of service goals and positive case outcomes.
Meet all documentation requirements within the program-required timelines.
Comply with immediate reporting and response requirements for safety-related case issues in the field.
Transport clients, when needed, according to program protocol.
Dispatch within the required time frame to assigned locations, which may include hospitals, police stations, DFPS offices, shelters, community-based settings, or incident locations.
Maintain a minimum number of daily or weekly contacts with children and families.
Continuously evaluate, develop, and strengthen the quality of rapport with assigned clients.
Unfailingly commit to acting in the child’s best interest, including supporting the child’s relationships with community members and stakeholders.
Participate in community meetings and actively engage and communicate with stakeholders as required to ensure services are available.
Participate in workshops, seminars, education programs and other activities that promote professional growth and development.
Compile, prepare, submit, and maintain accurate records, files, forms, statistics, and additional information in accordance with agency policies, licensing and/or contract requirements.
Participate in weekly case staffing with regional team.
Work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed or requested by position supervisor, including on-call assigned shifts.
Implement BCFS HHS and program safety protocols including evacuating with children and other staff in case of an emergency.
Maintain confidentiality in all areas of the service population and program operations.
Maintain BCFS HHS professional and ethical standards of conduct outlined in BCFS HHS employee handbook including demonstrating respect for agency staff, the service population, and community members and complying with required dress code at all times.
Provide comprehensive, trauma-informed service and safety planning, including immediate risk reduction and short-term therapeutic interventions.
Independently coordinate referrals, service planning and documentation of services for assigned caseload.
Accept crisis calls and provide support to families in crisis.
Conduct comprehensive assessments, develop treatment plans, and make independent decisions in the field regarding the safety and well-being of assigned children and families.
Complete in-home family preservation services as assigned.
Act as a liaison with stakeholders, including legal providers, child protection, law enforcement, federal partners, and others, and ensure both program and local protocol are followed.
Participate in community meetings and directly advocating with stakeholders for child services.
Participate in weekly face-to-face or phone supervision with the supervisor.
Meet all deadlines required by program supervisor and federal partners.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of all Human Trafficking Interdiction policies and procedures.