Child Advocacy/ Advocate/Case Manager (VCVA grant)

General Summary: Maintains supportive contact with families from point of case initiation; includes but not limited to providing information, tracking, translating and advocacy support. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for promoting a child focused, supportive environment at the Child Advocacy Center by providing crisis support, system information, and community resources for children and their families who participate in an investigation of child sexual abuse throughout the life of the case.

• Work as a member of the MDT before, during, and after the forensic interview in order to participate in information sharing, inform and support family about the coordinated, multidisciplinary response, and assess needs of child and non-offending caregiver.

• Provide crisis support to children and their families who are receiving services from the CAC, including but not limited to: greeting families, explaining the role of the Center in the process of the investigation, supporting non-offending parent/caretaker when the child is interviewed, and may support the child and other accompanying family members when the parent is in conference with the MDT.

• Share with parent and or caregiver information on the Victim's Rights Act and assist families in completing applications to the Crime Victims Compensation Program when applicable.

• Assess families for needs and make referrals for families to appropriate human service organizations located in families" communities and for mental health counseling.

• Data entry and tracking on cases, maintaining appropriate documentation of services provided.

• Provide updates to the family on cases, continuances, dispositions, sentencing, inmate status notification 9including offender release from custody).

• Other responsibilitoes as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Preference given to candidates with a Bachelor"s degree in Human Services or with commensurate experience with child sexual abuse cases or in case management.
• Previous experience working in a Children"s Advocacy Center environment strongly favored
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to child victimization and family systems
• Academic training or practical experience in and knowledge of developmental stages of children and the dynamics and effects of child abuse.
• Ability to communicate/and or interact effectively with children, adolescents, and adults that receive services through the CAC.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work well with a variety of disciplines
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrates cultural competency
• Maintains confidentiality policies
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Must have a valid Illinois Driver"s License

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Sitting, talking, hearing and vision are required approximately 100% of the time.
• Filing, bending, reaching, and keying.

WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• General Office Environment.

EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Computer, Phone, Fax, Copier, Scanner.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Director of the Child Advocacy Center

Directs Work of: None

This statement describes the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, as the needs of the division may change from time to time.

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Group Health/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

IMRF Pension

Paid Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Time

Flexible Benefits Plans (FSA, HSA)

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Deadline: August 31, 2026