Family Advocate
Position Summary:
The Family Advocate serves as the central point of contact (CPOC) for youth identified by first responders at Akron Children’s Hospital, Mahoning Valley as potential victims of human trafficking. This vital role ensures youth and their families enter the system smoothly and receive comprehensive trauma-informed support. The Family Advocate coordinates a multidisciplinary team assembled for each case, and facilitates monthly MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) meetings with community stakeholders and partners to strategize and improve outcomes.
Responsibilities:
- Provide emotional support and crisis intervention to youth and families affected by sexual assault, abuse, and human trafficking.
- Follow each case from intake to resolution, maintaining consistent communication and advocacy throughout the investigative and judicial process.
- Educate clients about the criminal justice system, their rights, and provide timely updates on case status.
- Assist clients with Victims of Crime Compensation applications and VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) registration.
- Act as liaison between families and Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, Rape Crisis Counseling Center (RCCC), law enforcement, and court personnel.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records on all clients to meet grant and agency requirements.
- Track demographic and service data to support program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary team members addressing each identified case, ensuring clear communication and collaborative service delivery.
- Organize and facilitate monthly MDT meetings to bring together community partners and stakeholders.
- Attend staff meetings, in-service training, and individual supervision as scheduled.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and community partners to strengthen the network of support for survivors.
- Participate in prevention activities for those identified at high-risk of human trafficking
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in social work or a human service field, preferred.
- Will need to complete 40 hours of core training. Thirty hours every two years thereafter are required and need to be maintained.
- Ability to navigate and use victim services software packages. Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook and Google business products.
Miscellaneous requirements: Criminal background check; Pre-employment drug screen; Clear driving record; High stress due to timeliness, frequency and volume of interpersonal interaction, and potential crisis situations.
Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills: Proven ability to support individuals and families in crisis with empathy, resilience, and professionalism, Comfortable working independently while also thriving in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment, Skilled in managing sensitive and emotionally charged situations with discretion and compassion, Knowledge of trauma-informed care, victim advocacy, and the dynamics of sexual assault, abuse, and trafficking, Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER SERVICE PROVIDED THROUGH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
EOE-M/F/H including persons with disabilities and veteran