Family Advocate- Carrollton

Community Action For Improvement Inc.; Carrollton (GA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action For Improvement Inc. is seeking a Family Advocate in Carrollton, Georgia to support positive child and family outcomes through mediation and engagement. The Advocate will mediate disputes between parents, facilitate parenting plans, and ensure a collaborative process that prioritizes the child’s interests.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in social services and a minimum of two years of relevant experience. This full-time position requires skill in communication and problem-solving within a compassionate framework.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in social work or a similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Mediate disputes between parents regarding child responsibilities.
• Provide legal information about parental rights.
• Maintain documentation of services provided to families.
• Conduct home visits and support groups for parents.

Skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Problem-solving

Time management

Organizational skills

Listening

Microsoft Office

Compassion

Education

Bachelor's degree in social services or related field

Job description

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Center Manager, the Family Advocate will work to achieve positive child and family outcomes through high-quality engagement. The primary function of the Family Advocate is to provide child-focused mediation between parents who wish to exercise or acquire parental rights and responsibilities. The Advocate will ensure a trusting and collaborative process is implemented in each family with specific focus on the best interest of the child. Top candidates will recognize and identify each family's risk and protective factors, respect diverse cultures and values, and establish professional roles and boundaries while working with families.

Essential Functions

• Mediate disputes by parents over responsibilities and rights of the child.
• Place or register parenting plans.
• Provide legal information regarding the responsibilities and rights of the parents.
• Facilitate and monitor the agreement reached in the best interest of the child.
• Provide the courts with reports in litigation matters.
• Provide recommendations to the court on how parents can care for the child under the circumstances.
• Develop, implement, and monitor a program specific to each family and their circumstance.
• Maintain an accurate and complete documentation of services to families.
• Schedule and conduct a minimum of 3 home visits annually (1 of which must be in the home).
• Provide monthly parent support groups.
• Maintain regular contact with parents, teachers and Supervisor about child's behavior and discuss pertinent information while ensuring confidentiality rights are respected.
• Help families identify strengths and needs, set their own goals, and make appropriate referrals.
• Complete necessary paperwork and follow up for the assurance of services.
• Work cooperatively with community-based social service agencies to assist families in improving the conditions and quality of family life.
• Assist all families in enrollment in the program and utilization of coordinated services such as the Children’s System of Care.
• Coordinate and integrate support services for children and their parents.
• Prepare and distribute community resource list.
• Maintain organized records and complete paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Fully participate in all outreach and recruitment processes and appropriate documentation which systematically ensures enrollment of all eligible children.
• Set a registration week to make the process easier for parents to gather the needed information in a timely fashion.
• Perform similar job-related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment, classroom, home environment and involves travel. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, social media, modern technology, and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to talk and hear, sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The position may require occasional lifting of office products and supplies up to 20 pounds. The employee is frequently required to read, understand, and apply written and spoken directions; write; count accurately; and use advanced math skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with days and hours of work Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise approved.

Travel

Occasional local travel and some outside-of-area travel may be required for job requirements or training purposes.

AAP/EEO Statement

CAFI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. CAFI complies with applicable state and local nondiscrimination laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. CAFI expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social services, social work, sociology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in social work or a similar environment.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at a professional level.
• Ability to remain confidential and keep all information confidential.
• Ability to report, problem solve and analyze.
• Ability to manage time and report to work on a timely manner.
• Ability to flourish independently and in a team management system.
• Excellent organizational skills and tracking and documentation required.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Sensitivity to low income, ethnic minority community.
• Demonstrated compassion for people.