Job Description

JOB TITLE: Forensic Interviewer/Family Advocate 

PROGRAM : Leavenworth Atchison Child Advocacy Center 

REPORTS TO: Child Advocacy Center Program Director

PURPOSE: 
The Forensic Interviewer works as part of a multidisciplinary team responding to child sexual abuse and physical abuse allegations, using a children’s advocacy center (CAC) model. The Forensic Interviewer is responsible for understanding the dynamics of child abuse with an emphasis on child sexual abuse. This understanding is used to conduct child-focused, forensically-sound, legally defensible forensic interviews of alleged child victims referred to the Leavenworth Atchison Child Advocacy Center. The Forensic Interviewer testifies as a fact and expert witness in Court as requested through subpoena. All forensic interviews will be conducted according to current Leavenworth Atchison Child Advocacy Center Protocol and interview guidelines as well as National Children’s Alliance Standards of Accreditation. 

The Family Advocate works as part of a multidisciplinary team responding to child sexual abuse and physical abuse allegations, using a children’s advocacy center (CAC) model. The Family Advocate provides comprehensive support, guidance, and resources to non-offending family members of children who have experienced abuse. The Family Advocate serves as a compassionate and knowledgeable liaison, helping families navigate the complex investigative and legal processes, ensuring their voices are heard, and their needs are met. By offering emotional support, information, and practical assistance, the Family Advocate plays a critical role in promoting the well-being and resilience of families during and after their involvement with the Child Advocacy Center. All Family Advocates will serve clients according to current Leavenworth Atchison Child Advocacy Center Protocols as well as National Children’s Alliance Standards of Accreditation. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in social work/welfare, criminal justice/law enforcement, mental health, or related field.
• Direct work experience within a multidisciplinary team responding to allegations of child maltreatment.
• Direct work experience with abused children and their families.
• Advanced knowledge of child abuse dynamics and trends.
• Knowledge of law enforcement, criminal and civil court systems and how to communicate with and function within these systems.
• Preferred Criminal and/or CINC Court testimony experience.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to engage children of all ages in interviews and mediate with parents in crisis.
• Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to accomplish and advance program goals, a willingness to remain abreast of current research related to child abuse and neglect, as well as best practices in the field of Forensic Interviewing and Advocacy, and an ability to remain sensitive and demonstrate appropriate boundaries with program clients, agency staff, MDT members, board, and volunteers.
• Familiar with National Children’s Alliance, Children’s Advocacy Center model.

CANDIDATES MUST:

• Be able to pass a background check. No record of confirmed involvement with child abuse or neglect. 
• Be willing to travel between Atchison and Leavenworth Counties as well as to in-state meetings/trainings and out of state trainings. 
• Have reliable vehicle, be able to drive, and have current driver’s license and insurance.
• Work effectively and respectfully with individuals from various economic, social and cultural backgrounds.
• Work in a confidential manner, ensuring information is shared with internal and external individuals in an appropriate manner. 

RESPONSIBILITES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Conduct child-focused, legally-defensible forensic interviews with children who may be victims or witnesses of sexual or physical abuse, or witnesses to violent crime, using best practices, the current Leavenworth Atchison Child Advocacy Center forensic interview guidelines, and NCA standards.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and CAC staff before and after forensic interviews.
• Testify in criminal and juvenile court, when requested by subpoena.
• Participate in on-site and video-teleconferenced peer review by submitting own interviews for review and by providing critique of others’ forensic interviews.
• Maintain strong level of child abuse and forensic interview expertise through local, national, and web-based skills-based trainings, journal article readings, and networking with other forensic interviewers.
• Complete timely, thorough and accurate documentation of activities through forensic interview summaries, NCAtrak data entry, and digital recordings.
• Provide advocacy and complete follow-up services to children and non-offending caregivers on case load.
• Assist families in understanding the process and steps that occur during the investigation of the crime. This includes, but is not limited to, helping the victim and family understand: the forensic interview process, the medical exam, how to access mental health services, the role of law enforcement and child protective services, and typical court proceedings. 
• Collect all relevant child and family history, assess the needs of the family, and make appropriate referrals. 
• Work closely with other victim advocacy services in the community to ensure seamless coverage and transition for clients. 
• Assist in researching, developing, and maintaining resource lists for clients.
• Provide crime victims with statutory rights and assist in seeking Crime Victims compensation when necessary. 
• Collect and maintain client records and client database for tracking child abuse cases from intake to end of care. 
• Collect client feedback via Outcomes Measurement Survey (OMS) systems. 
• Accompany child to medical exam if requested by victim or non-offending caregiver or MDT members. 
• Attend annual skills-based training to remain abreast of latest research, trends, and best practice standards in cultural competency, child abuse medical evaluations, and advocacy. 
• Actively participate in monthly multidisciplinary Case Review meetings and quarterly MDT meetings. 
• Assist in data collection and statistical information. 
• Assist in data entry using the case tracking system. 
• Generate statistical information from reports, logs, and databases. 
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of a variety of files, records, reports, logs, and related items. 
• Collaborate with child protection workers, law enforcement, prosecutors, medical personnel, therapists and victim advocates to ensure quality services for all victims and families. 
• Maintain positive working relationships with partner agencies, networking and facilitating opportunities to encourage cross-disciplinary communication, protocol development, training and education to improve the outcomes of child abuse investigations and treatment. 
• Promote the agency within the community and educate the community about services offered and child abuse/neglect. 
• Contribute to maintaining a safe, comfortable and private setting for children and their families. 
• Engage in process in which victims are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity as well as freedom from intimidation, harassment, or abuse. 
• Advocate to create and support high standards for child abuse investigations.
• Assist with and attend agency functions, special events, and meetings as assigned.
• Participate in the evaluation and improvement of service delivery and program components.
• Conduct self and work according to NCA accreditation standards and the Leavenworth Atchison Child Advocacy Center protocol.
• Other duties as assigned

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