Family Advocate

Truancy Reduction Center JobClass: Non-Exempt, Full TimeHourly Rate: Starting at $23.00/hour + comprehensive benefitsPay Range: $23.00 to $30.00/hourHours: 30+ hours/week, occasional evening and weekend hoursLocation: Truancy Reduction Center and various locations in Orange CountyJob Summary: Work with parents and families to identify root causes of truancy. Teach parent and teen empowerment courses to community members. Develop individualized treatment plans for youth and families experiencing truancy. Maintain consistent communication with referring agents. Provide comprehensive case management, short-term counseling interventions, and other related support services to eligible at-risk students, parents, and families. Responsible for meeting weekly productivity expectations and maintaining accurate and up to date case records of all services rendered.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesMentor youth and families experiencing truancy and reduce barriers to attending schoolEnsure Parent/Teen Empowerment Courses meet psychoeducational standards and ensure the safety of all participantsEffectively conduct, monitor and evaluate Parent/Teen Empowerment Courses and offer suggestions for improvementEnsure a productive work environment by working as a member of a team, contributing to team meetings and providing information to support decision makingUtilize tracking databases to track clientsBuild partnerships with participants, potential clients and vendorsIncrease the visibility of Parent/Teen Empowerment Courses and other BGCGG programs, services and activitiesMaintain good public relations by conducting regular outreachMaintain customer service satisfaction in order to maintain and expand client baseMaintain close, daily contact with staff, participants and supervisors to receive and provide information, discuss issues, explain or interpret guidelines and instructions, instructs, advises and counselsProvide direct face to face interaction with clients, caregivers and suggesting, implement and offer short-term therapeutic strategiesFacilitate and strengthen collaboration between clients, caregivers, schools, and community partners by participating in school meetings with staff and administrators as neededAct as a mediator for the youth, family, school and other systems involvedCreate an environment that promotes the physical, social and emotional well-being of youth and their families through providing youth and parents support towards improving child's functioning and ensure basic needs and psychiatric services are coordinated and accessed in a timely mannerAttend school and court related meetings on behalf of the clientEffectively use Microsoft Office programs, electronic scheduling and database softwareMaintain regular contact with external community groups, schools, social workers, clients, BGC-CHS partners and others to promote and ensure family information and referral services are successfulMaintain strong communication skills; both written and verbal, and provide feedback regularlyWork with diverse populations in a culturally competent mannerContinuously develop knowledge and skills; manage time and resources effectivelyManage own time and resources; prioritize and complete multiple tasks within expected deadlinesRemain objective in crisis situations and maintain healthy boundariesWork cooperatively and positively in a team approach with staff and management personnelMaintain up to date knowledge of HIPAA, FERPA, and confidentiality regulations; keep information confidential and report necessary information to appropriate individualsFollow organizational procedures and policiesAbility to teach and check for understandingPractice sound judgment regarding safety; to adapt and be flexible; uphold the organization's mission and valuesAdditional Duties & ResponsibilitiesAttend weekly/monthly Quality Review Committee meetings, supervision sessions, staff meetings and conferences and trainings as requiredWork within administrative and process parameters as requiredQualificationsQualifications:At least 21 years of ageBachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, or related fieldCurrently enrolled in a Masters of Social Work program or Social Worker intern or an ASW preferredMaster's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field preferredCurrently registered with the BBS and must maintain current registration throughout employmentMust have and maintain valid Professional Liability Insurance (Malpractice Insurance) if applicableAt least 1 year of experience working with children/adolescents and families experiencing distress (2 years preferred)At least 6 months of experience working with groups (1 year preferred)Able speak in front of large and small groupsBilingual capabilities preferredExperience with case management and knowledge in case management philosophy and functionAbility to use a variety of computer software applications, specifically, Excel, Word, Publisher and OutlookKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as managing files and records, following up on phone calls, receiving and documenting payments, completing reports, and tracking dataReliable transportation, safe driving record, valid CA driver license, at least 2 years of driving experience and current automobile insurancePosition may require standing/sitting for extended periods of time, dexterity of hands and fingers to operate office equipment, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, bending at the waist; seeing to review and analyze reports, documents or other reports; hearing and speaking to communicate and provide information to others; speaking to be heard before groups of people; position may require to lift, carry, pull or otherwise move objects between 10-20 pounds