Child Welfare Advocate- PIP

Harbor-House-of-Central-Florid; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Harbor House advocates the safety of survivors by deploying the Domestic Violence Child Welfare Advocate within the Partners in Protection Program. Based in Orlando, this role collaborates with CPI units and PIP affiliates to assess cases, identify needs, set goals, and coordinate services for survivors and their children.

Responsibilities include case planning, trainings, crisis intervention, court accompaniment, and data reporting.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with agencies and staff.
• Ability to complete records, outcome measures, schedules and time sheets accurately.
• Knowledge of child protective investigations and court processes.
• Proficiency with MS Office and ability to learn databases and CMS.

Responsibilities

• Assess cases with CPI and PIP affiliates to determine needs and set goals.
• Develop case/service plans and coordinate referrals to providers.
• Conduct follow-ups to track progress and adjust plans as needed.
• Provide trainings, attend meetings, and participate in case reviews.
• Offer crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy for survivors.
• Coordinate with Harbor House advocates to align services.
• Record and report program data for monthly/quarterly reports.
• Provide court support and assist in injunction determinations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Advocacy skills

Case management

Multitasking

Independent work

Leadership

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Database software

Job description

Description

JOB SUMMARY: The Domestic Violence Child Welfare Advocate serves as a subject matter expert and consultant for child welfare staff and community partners under the Partners in Protection Program, to enhance survivor and child safety while holding batterers accountable in domestic violence cases. As a PIP Domestic Violence Child Welfare Advocate, they will assist in identifying needs, establishing goals, navigating community resources, and help overcome barriers to safety and stability. The Domestic Violence Child Welfare Advocate will be co-located at least 60% of their time with a Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Unit that oversees Orange County child welfare cases.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Works to make contact, build rapport, and work directly with CPI’s and other PIP affiliates in assessing domestic violence cases to determine areas of need, set goals, provide consultations and subject matter expertise.
• Assists in developing case/service management plans and provides referrals to community service providers to help achieve the goals set forth on the case/service management plan.
• Conducts follow‑up meetings with CPI’s and other PIP affiliates to assess progress toward completion of goals and identify areas requiring further assistance.
• Provides trainings for CPI’s and other PIP affiliates, attends relevant program meetings, staffing’s and case management reviews with peers and supervisors.
• Provides immediate support, advocacy, safety planning, lethality assessments and crisis intervention counseling to survivors of domestic violence.
• Work closely with Harbor House Community Services Advocates, Criminal Justice Advocates, and Shelter Services Advocates to ensure coordination of services.
• Compiles and records statistical data as it relates to the PIP Program, that will be entered in our client database and submitted on monthly and quarterly reports.
• Provides assistance/accompaniment and support for CPI’s, PIP affiliates and survivors at court hearings.
• Assists in determining if survivors meet the criteria for filing an injunction.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES

• This position description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to provide and maintain accurate client and service records that meet audit requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with various community agencies, coalitions, and agency staff.
• Ability to complete necessary records, outcome measures, schedules and time sheets in an accurate and timely manner.
• Knowledge of DCF, child protective investigations, and the dependency court process
• Case management skills.
• Ability to provide effective and immediate crisis intervention for survivors
• Excellent oral and written communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to provide leadership in a work and community setting.
• Ability to work with a moderate noise level.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to manage in a manner conductive to high productivity.
• Ability to work in an environment with many interruptions.
• Proficiency in basic to intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Office and database software.

Requirements

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently standing, sitting, and walking.
• Some stooping, lifting and bending.
• Talking, hearing, seeing, repetitive motions.
• These requirements may not be all inclusive. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing domestic violence victim advocacy, community outreach, resource navigation, case coordination, or direct services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, child welfare, or other vulnerable populations is required. Experience collaborating with community partners, multidisciplinary teams and training in the Safe & Together model for child welfare cases is preferred.
• Discretion: Professional experience may be substituted for formal education at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.
• Licensing: Valid Florida Driver’s License with a clean record for the past 5 years. Must be 21 years or older to meet agency insurance requirements.
• Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Ability to learn organization‑specific software, including databases and content management systems. Strong professional writing and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment with attention to detail.
• Training Requirements: Completion of CORE Competency training within 90 days of hire. Additional mandatory training is required on an annual basis per Agency Policies & Procedures.