Yellowstone Valley Child Advocacy Center Advocate

Job Details

Working title : Yellowstone Valley Child Advocacy Center Advocate

Classification title : Case Manager

Division : Family Health Services

Program : Child Advocacy Center

Reports to : Child Advocacy Center Coordinator

FLSA status : Non-Exempt: Full-Time

Schedule : Monday-Friday; 8am to 5pm

Wage Range: $26.40 - $32.15 hourly

RiverStone Health

Serving the Yellowstone County community and south-central Montana for nearly 50 years, RiverStone Health is an essential provider of personal and public health services.

Health, Education, Leadership and Protection – HELP is what we do. From medical, dental and behavioral healthcare; home care and hospice; public health services like immunizations, WIC, health promotion and restaurant inspections; and educating the next generation of health professionals, our expertise spans all ages and stages of life. Underlying principles of access, affordability, compassion and quality in all interactions, RiverStone Health improves life, health and safety for all of the communities we serve. Underlying principles of access, affordability, compassion and quality in all interactions, RiverStone Health improves life, health and safety for all of the communities we serve

Job Summary

The Advocate works within the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) to provide trauma-informed support to child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or exposure to violence, as well as their non-offending caregivers. As the first point of contact for families arriving for a child forensic interview, the Advocate helps create a safe, welcoming environment during what is often an overwhelming experience.

Throughout the process, the Advocate serves as the family’s guide, ensuring they understand each step, connecting them with resources, and providing ongoing emotional support. The Advocate helps lay the foundation for long-term healing and resilience in children and their families.

The Advocate also collaborates closely with multidisciplinary professionals to promote effective communication, coordinated services, and the best possible outcomes for child victims.

Essential Functions/Major Duties And Responsibilities

Case Manager Services 50%

• Design, prepare, distribute and evaluate health education promotion program materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids.
• Promote RiverStone Health programs to eligible individuals.
• Provide patient guidance through financial assistance, and additional RiverStone Health services to ensure clients are receiving a full array of services available to them.
• Review and submit program bills for services.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with tribal and other local providers, agencies and organizations interested in RiverStone Health programs.
• Collaborate with tribal and other local agencies and providers to determine community health needs and the availability of services.
• Maintain databases, mailing lists, and other contact information to facilitate the ongoing communication of RiverStone Health programs.
• Produce, maintain and submit regular statistics and program reports for grant and other reporting requirements.
• Represent RiverStone Health by attending, developing and presenting health education and promotion programs, such as training workshops, committees, boards, conferences, and school or community presentations related to program activities; deliver informative and persuasive presentations.
• Participate in and attend meetings, conferences workshops and training sessions to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in the program field.
• Provide program information by preparing and presenting press releases, conducting media campaigns, or maintaining program-related Web sites.
• Develop, conduct, or coordinate health needs assessments and surveys.
• Develop operational plans and policies necessary to achieve program objectives and services.
• Participate in and provide audit data.
• Assist in the development of annual work plans and quality improvement projects.
• Respond to communications in a courteous and timely manner.

Program Specific Duties 45%

• Greet the child and caregiver upon arrival at the CAC. Assist with intake process, build rapport and help prepare the child for the forensic interview.
• Assess the unique needs of each child victim and help ensure the CAC response is sensitive to their individual needs.
• Meets with non-offending caregiver while child is in the forensic interview to assess family’s needs.
• Referrals and coordination; refer child and family to mental health services, medical services, or other community services.
• Assistance with access to services such as protective orders, housing, public assistance, domestic violence intervention, and transportation.
• Educate non-offending caregivers on child sexual abuse or serious physical abuse, criminal process, Crime Victim Compensation, and information on common behaviors of children who have experienced abuse.
• Help to screen youth for at risk behavioral health needs and refer to treatment.
• Work in collaboration with Child Protective Services workers, provide updates, and have a good understanding of their system. Understanding mandatory reporting rules of CPS.
• Attend child medical evaluations and court proceedings as appropriate.
• Maintain ongoing communication and relationship with the non-offending caregiver, providing updates on case progress.
• Establish and maintain relationship with Yellowstone County Attorney Victim Witness Coordinator.
• Establish and maintain relationships with community services, understand their referral process and services.
• Understand and maintain working knowledge and implementations of National Children’s Alliance standards for victim advocacy.
• Data input for Advocacy contact and services through approved online database for accreditation and billing purposes.
• Participates in monthly Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings and case review.
• Represents the agency at community events. Helps to build and maintain positive agency image and relations.
• Assists in the distribution of surveys provided by OMS as part of our accreditation through the National Children’s Alliance
• Working to expand Behavioral Health support network within RiverStone Health and community.
• Assists the Child Advocacy Center Coordinator with special projects, as needed.
• Additional duties as needed to meet program requirements.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule if the need arises (per agency requirements).
• Ability to work effectively with, support, and motivate a wide variety of people, including clients who may be disagreeable and/or difficult.

Non-Essential Functions/Other duties as assigned 5%

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of RiverStone Health’s mission and goals.

Education And Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in social services
• Two or more years of experience in social services or public health field.
• Any combination of experience and training providing trauma informed care to children and families

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social services related field
• Experience working with underserved population
• Experience working in a customer service environment

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Montana driver's license
• On-the-job training emergency preparedness training in ICS 100, 200 and 700.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Self-starter and strong organizational and planning skills.
• Computer literacy, Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor during difficult client interactions.
• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.
• Maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a positive work environment.
• Ability to perform job duties with integrity and innovation to ensure completion and a high level of quality.
• Ability to understand and adhere to required administrative policies and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills to ensure efficiencies and quality customer service.
• Ability to relate to and motivate diverse members of the community.
• Ability to develop and maintain partnerships with a diverse mix of local organizations, businesses, health providers and other applicable individuals.
• Knowledge of program development, promotion, marketing, education and media communications.

Customer Service Excellence

• Doing things right the first time
• Making people feel welcome
• Showing respect for each customer
• Anticipating customer needs and concerns
• Keeping customers informed
• Helping and going the extra mile
• Responding quickly
• Protecting privacy and confidentiality
• Demonstrating proper telephone etiquette
• Taking responsibility for handling complaints
• Being professional
• Taking ownership of your attitude toward Service Excellence.

Supervision

• None

Physical Demands And Working Conditions

• Extended periods of sitting and computer work in an office setting
• Occasional work in the community with other agencies
• Occasional lifting of >5 lbs
• Able to travel to outside facilities to meet with referral agencies if needed.
• Ability to travel and use own personal vehicle. Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, other vehicles, etc. Travel occurs in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
• Create and maintain a safe/secure working environment by adhering to safety, security, and health requirements. Integrate injury, illness, and loss prevention into job activities by attending any necessary training and implementing best practices.

Freedom To Act & Decision Making

• Uses independent judgement
• Decisions directly affect the quality of services provided to the public.
• Required ability to exercise discretion and make decisions in the moment.

Communications & Networking

• Position requires continual written and oral communication with clients, patients, family members, community resources, colleagues, management, etc.
• Responsible for medical and non-medical confidential information.

Budget & Resource Management

• None