Job Summary:

The overall goal of the Family Advocacy Program is to strengthen the family by empowering and equipping mother to sustain and support her family independently and self-sufficiency. The Family Advocate will provide services that help participants secure knowledge, skills, and access to resources to provide a safe, stable environment for their children, while also working toward long term goals leading toward restored relationships and increased self-sufficiency. The Family Advocates also work on behalf of participant children, in partnership with the after-school program Coordinator. Self-Sufficiency Plans are developed, securing relevant resources and services.  Each participant family is in the program for up to two years, with a possible extension for education completion.

Responsibilities:

1. Prays regularly for participant families
2. Manages the Family Selection Process
   1. Processes all incoming referrals by managing communication with both families and referring agencies/organizations
   2. Invites prospective families to Orientation
   3. Checks all prospective families’ references
   4. Shares prospective families’ info with Housing Manager for Housing Application appointment
   5. Coordinates with the Family Support Team on invitations to Viewpoint sessions
   6. Participates in Viewpoint sessions along with Family Support Team
   7. Conducts assessment interviews with applicants along with ED
      1. Including but not limited to formal and informal assessment of trauma history, psychological wellbeing, resiliency factors, and willingness to learn problem-solving/conflict resolution skills needed to live in a communal living environment
   8. Presents prospective families for consideration to Family Support Team for final approval
   9. Schedules Orientation Breakfast for new families and invites all FST members to event

1. Develops and oversees Self-Sufficiency Plans with the family
   1. Meets weekly with each participant the first year and biweekly the second year to develop and maintain a Self-Sufficiency Plan including goal setting in the areas of spiritual development and personal growth, career, relationships with self and others, financial management, and permanent housing - creates an Emotional and/or Physical Safety plan as needed with each participant family
   2. The Family Advocate develops and executes a plan focused on career development and/or post-secondary education, including career assessments, school exploration, accessing financial aid, scholarships, etc.
   3. Reviews each child’s performance in school including attendance and grades (provided by After school Coordinator) and works with the participants to equip them in assisting their child(ren) to be all that they can be
   4. Participates on the E2 team designing the E2 Enrichment Class calendar as well as designing the classes, ensuring it complements the families’ overall Self-Sufficiency Plan

1. Resource Development and Connection
   1. Provide information and outgoing referrals in the areas of financial planning and debt reduction, health, work-force development, parenting, child care, therapy, legal, education, housing, basic needs, transportation, etc.
   2. Advocates for the participant with partners, employers, educational institutions, legal systems, civic groups, government agencies, etc., as needed
   3. Maintains a community-wide resource file, distributes to participants, and assist them in locating and accessing appropriate community resources as needed

1. Evaluation and Outcomes
   1. Maintains the participating family files in the Apricot database while tracking and measuring outcomes
   2. Conducts bi-annual reviews alongside ED to determine full program participation
   3. Holds each participant accountable to their Self-Sufficiency plan, recommends program extensions, probationary periods, program graduations, and dismissals to the Family Support Team

1. Directs Family Life groups
2. Oversees volunteer service hours for each FLG volunteers
3. Works with DMP to place recruited volunteers on FLG teams
4. Plans and facilitate the FLG / Family nights quarterly10.Other duties as assigned

Academic/Experience Requirements:

1. Must have at least a bachelor’s degree in in social work or related field.
2. Must have minimum of two to five years of experience in the field.
3. Must have experience working in a trauma-informed/responsive environment.
4. Must have experience working with families and/or children.
5. Must have experience in workforce development
6. Must have a working knowledge of and experience with social service sector.
7. Experience working in a community setting and/or a housing organization is a plus

Qualifications

1. Dedication to advocacy and helping families experience all that God intends for them
   1. Highly values community
   2. Desire to grow and maintain relationships with other community service organizations, churches, etc. for the benefit of the families at The Nest.
   3. Desire to learn about The Nest’s practices, including strengths-based advocacy, trauma-informed care practice, empowerment, ally team concepts and philosophy
   4. Experience working within a ‘When Helping Hurts’ philosophy
2. Communication
   1. Strong language and communication skills (written and oral)
   2. Highly relational
   3. Desire to share The Justin’s Place mission with the community
   4. Working knowledge of reflective listening, safety planning, and referral procedures for children, families, and adults concerning mental wellness
3. Commitment to service
   1. Community service experience
   2. Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others
   3. Emotional and spiritual maturity
4. Professionalism
   1. Ability to work as a critical valued part of a cross-functional team
   2. Maturity and good judgment in relating to The Nest peers, partners, and families
   3. Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
   4. Availability, dependability, and willingness to be flexible
   5. Demonstrated ability to solve problems and think creatively and strategically
   6. Must be able to set and maintain professional boundaries with participant families
5. Has a heart for single mother families
6. Must have a valid Tx driver’s license
7. Highly Organized
8. Supports overall ministry, purpose, values, and vision of Justin’s Place and The Nest

Compensation/Benefits

1. Compensation is determined based on experience and education
2. Insurance benefits with employment copay
3. Paid time off
4. Invaluable opportunity to make a difference in the lives of single mothers and their children

For more information please send your resume to Donnafloyd@justinsplace.org