Family Advocate Coordinator

Job Location

Community & Family Programs – Portland, OR

Position Type

Full Time

Salary Range

$23.08 – $24.04 Hourly

Job Shift

Day

Description

Family Advocate Coordinator

The Family Advocate Coordinator will work with families referred by the Department of Human Services (DHS) for; In-Home Safety & Reunification (ISRS) services, or Family Support Services. These programs work with DHS Child Welfare involved families in crisis (primarily in the families’ own homes and/or in the community) to address relevant concerns to ensure that children are able to remain in safe and stable homes with their parents; or to ensure that children are able to return to safe and stable homes with their parents. While services are being provided, the Coordinator will work closely with a Caseworker from DHS to provide assistance with; child safety, system navigation, emergency placement, identifying barriers, establishing goals, accessing natural and community supports, and developing long term stability. Services are short term and solution focused. The Family Advocate Coordinator works a flexible forty-hour work week, which may include early morning, meal and bed times, evenings and weekends. This position works out of SEI Community & Family Programs and reports to the Stability Program Manager.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Short term intensive case management to; resolve safety threats, improve parental protective capacity, develop interventions, assess change to lead to a safe home environment, and develop action plans to address identified concerns.
• At least weekly face to face interaction with all referred clients, and 24 hour response upon receipt of new referrals.
• Provide services in the family’s home when family members are at home and during hours most likely to impact child safety.
• Attend Child Safety and Family Decision meetings, or other case planning discussions with DHS staff and referred families.
• Work closely with DHS Caseworkers to create a collaborative problem solving approach incorporating the use of extended family, neighbors, other community persons and the provider as resources.
• Provide personal skills training to increase client capacity to maintain parenting stability and maintain stable housing, including; schedule management, behavior management, family communication, budgeting, job readiness, and financial planning.
• Coordinate services with other social service agencies (i.e. shelter providers, housing assistance, job training, financial planning, etc.).
• Keep thorough and up-to-date client records in accordance with agency file requirements. Also prepare additional or specialized written reports, as requested, for the purposes of court hearings or specific case planning meetings.
• Attend scheduled training sessions and other training geared toward professional growth. Attend agency staff meetings.
• Provide a daily and weekly work schedule.
• Establish and utilize networks within the housing and social systems to assist clients including; landlords, housing agencies, rental assistance programs, shelter services, counseling services, treatment services, assistance programs, etc.
• Assist and accompany clients to access eligible benefits and community resources to increase their financial stability.
• Accept other appropriate duties/responsibilities as assigned by management.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field and/or three years’ experience working with families and children.
• Must be a highly skilled individual with needs assessment and case management experience.
• Knowledge of crisis, cognitive and behavioral interventions.
• Knowledge of and ability to navigate, the housing system, preferably in Multnomah County.
• Able to provide skills training to increase client capacity to maintain safe and financially stable home.
• Must have effective interpersonal skills.
• Must have the ability to immediately motivate and connect with parents successfully.
• Must have excellent writing skills, be highly organized and self motivated.
• Must have driver’s license, own reliable transportation, and be insurable under SEI insurance policy.

Note: This job description may change as programming evolves. SEI management reserves the right to amend this description at any time. 05/25/2023