Family Advocate

Position: CAC Family Advocate

Reports to: CAC Manager/Lead FI

Job Type: Full-time, (40-hours per week),  with additional on call hours as assigned

Classification: Hourly, non-exempt

Pay: $24.04/hr

Location:  Hybrid (in-person & remote) Alfred, ME with occasional travel to Cumberland County

Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing free, confidential services to people impacted by sexual violence, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and trafficking since 1973. We are committed to being anti-racist, inclusive, and diverse across all levels of the organization. We seek to hire staff whose lived experiences and identities reflect the vibrant communities we serve. SARSSM’s work spans intervention, prevention, and community engagement. Our Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) provides multidisciplinary coordination and advocacy during criminal and/or child protective investigations of child sexual abuse.

SARSSM is an open union shop and is committed to positive, equitable employment practices.

We offer:

● Generous paid time off

● Professional development opportunities

● 403(b) with employer match

● Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

POSITION OVERVIEW:  The Family Advocate works directly with the children and non-offending caregivers at the Children’s Advocacy Center of York County. Family Advocates coordinate intakes, referrals, and scheduling of forensic interviews all while ensuring that non-offending family members have the necessary resources to navigate the civil and criminal justice systems. Family Advocates also coordinate referrals for mental/medical health needs, support groups, and other community resources.

HELPLINE

All SARSSM employees are Advocates. Staff are required to provide on-call coverage for the 24-hour crisis & support Helpline. Helpline duties include providing coverage for assigned shifts, on a rotation, with frequency of shifts dictated by staffing levels. SARSSM fully trains folks to fulfill these duties. Additional on-call pay rates apply.  

DUTIES

CAC Interview Scheduling and Coordination 

• Serve as the point of contact for forensic interview referrals from Multi-Disciplinary Team. 
• Serve as the first point of contact for the supportive care givers(s) to orient them to CACYC and explain CAC processes. 
• Greet and establish rapport with the child victims and supportive caregiver(s) at the CACYC on the day of the interview. 
• Coordinate information sharing with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). 
• Work collaboratively and effectively with MDT partners to facilitate team communication and efficiency. 

Caregiver and Child Support

• Provide needs assessment, safety planning & support for families through all stages of CAC involvement.
• Provide support for children and supportive caregivers(s) during the interview process in addition to assisting supportive caregivers(s) with referrals to multi-disciplinary partner agencies.

• Ensure the Family Room is appropriately ready to accommodate any special considerations that may need to be made for children or supportive caregiver(s).
• Conduct seven-day and thirty-day follow-up calls with all assisted clients at the CACYC. 

• Provide referrals for mental health and specialized medical treatment. 
• Facilitate access to transportation to interviews, court, treatment, and other case-related meetings. 
• Understand & relay information related to legal processes, available resources and referrals.

Documentation and Administration 

• Document all client and supportive caregiver(s) referral information into EmpowerDB according to the CACYC requirements, as well as maintain accurate and current files and records.

• Ensure the Caregiver Follow Up Survey is offered at every 30-day call 

• Ensure that OMS survey has been offered to 100% of all families who come to the CACYC and has been entered into the OMS Dashboard by the end of each month 

• Participate in case reviews. 
• Participate in MDT meetings.
• Provide case status updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Support NCA Accreditation efforts as determined by the CAC Manager/FI.
• Provide program support as determined by the CAC Manager/FI. 

Other

• Participate in agency events, including special events, outreach/awareness, & donor engagement events.
• Work collaboratively with SARSSM staff on agency-wide initiatives. 
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
There are many paths into this work. If you bring a combination of relevant experience, leadership capacity, and a commitment to high-quality CAC practice—even if your background looks a little different—we encourage you to apply.

• Degree in human services, social work, education, or other related fields, with one (1) year of work experience in these fields preferred.
• Experience working in crisis intervention and/or providing advocacy services.
•  Sensitivity to and knowledge of sexual violence and trauma
• Experience working with all or some of the following systems: child protective services, law
• enforcement, social services, or legal services.
• Experience navigating institutional systems, making service referrals 7 working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with youth, families & caregivers
• Familiarity with the impacts of trauma and abuse on children.
• Excellent computer skills, as well as skills with other forms of technology and communication
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Access to reliable transportation with applicable insurance.
• Current, valid driver’s license or State ID.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills with fluency in English. Knowledge of other
• languages is an advantage.
• Technical competency in Google Suites, Zoom, Microsoft office, Canva, etc.
• Successfully complete a 40-hour sexual assault advocate training, mandated reporter, & a
• 10-hour support group facilitator training within specified timeframe.
• Participate in agency events, including special events, outreach/awareness and donor engagement
• events.
• Frequent local travel, with regular on-call evening & weekend shifts as necessary in order to
• accomplish job responsibilities.
• Employment is conditional upon successful clearance of background screening including ChildAbuse Registry, Maine Criminal and Federal Fingerprinting.

SARSSM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified individuals, regardless of race, sex, gender identity/expression, language, religion, political affiliation, age, socio-economic status, physical appearance and abilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.  

In support of our values, SARSSM strives to ensure accurate, ethical, and equitable policies and practices. We believe in regular assessment, reflection, and the pursuit of growth, whether on the individual level or as an organization.

The above is intended to describe the essential responsibilities, required skills, and minimum qualifications for the role. Additional duties as directed by the CAC Manager or the Executive Director may be assigned.