Summary:

The Bilingual Family Advocate in the LYNC Program (Linking Youth to Natural Communities) will be the primary point of contact for bilingual youth and their families throughout the duration of the program. The Bilingual Family Advocate will provide client services in Spanish and /or English and will assist clients with language barriers and translations in a non-clinical capacity to meet their needs. Engaging and navigating youth and their family is one of the primary functions of the Bilingual Family Advocate. As part of the LYNC team the Bilingual Family Advocate will deliver culturally and gender responsive, trauma-informed, strength-based services to assigned youth and their families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Liaison to families, parents, guardians and community providers or referral source; Serves as point of contact for youth and families/guardians, service delivery in program, and connections to the community (in collaboration with Family Engagement Specialist); primary liaison to referral source and community linkages.
• Interface with clients and conduct Family Advocate duties in Spanish and/or English and assist clients with language barriers and oral/written translation in a non-clinical capacity to meet their needs.
• Engage youth and families/guardians to mitigate barriers and increase likelihood of youth and family success.
• Guide families through each phase of treatment while connecting youth/families to desired community resources in collaboration with both formal and informal supports in creating a meaningful connection to the community.
• Complete intake assessments and begin developing recommendations grounded in assessment scores, family report and referral reports that address risks, needs and responsivity factors.
• Collaborates with team through participation in Service Team Meetings and Risk Reduction and Sustainability Plan and aftercare planning.
• Provides strategic case management using Carey Guides, develops and monitor goals, addresses barriers, develops and build skill acquisition.
• Works collaboratively with juvenile probation and provide enhanced family engagement services based on the JBCSSD Family Engagement and Partnership pilot:
• Facilitates regularly scheduled parent support groups;
• Continuously educates families about the juvenile court system and how to successfully engage with court and Probation personnel.
• Maintains compliance in documentation with agency and program standards.
• Participates in all required Quality Assurance activities.
• Assigned to work with the youth and family through all three phases of the LYNC program.
• Provides structured case management, works on goal development, addresses barriers, develops, and builds skill acquisition.
• Participate in all required internal and external meetings and supervisions.
• Complete all required internal and external training within the required timeframes.
• Meet and contribute to agency outcomes and performance measures.
• Adhere to state and federal regulations, and standards of accreditation, facility licensure and funding sources.
• May perform other duties assigned by supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

Knowledge Of:

• Case Management and community resources.
• Electronic Healthcare Record systems.
• General office software, particularly Microsoft Office Suite.
• Risk-needs-responsivity principles and risk reduction initiatives.

Ability To:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing in English and in Spanish.
• Manage priorities effectively to meet deadlines and demonstrate multi-tasking skills.
• Assimilate new information and technology.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Sociology, or Human Services and a minimum of two (2) years' experience working with justice/system/agency involved youth.
• Strong case management skills.
• Effective engagement skills with motivational interviewing skills preferred.
• Strong community connections and knowledge base of resources.

Other:

• Must be dependable and reliable, detailed oriented, and able to interface easily with clients, staff, and referral sources.
• Must be able to meet routine office physical demands including climbing stairs, carrying up to 20-pound objects and possess the dexterity and vision to operate office computers and equipment.
• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• Must successfully complete the introductory probationary employment period.

This job description covers the most significant duties but does not exclude other assignments or related duties.