Family Advocate

The MiFamily Together (MFT) Advocate provides intensive home-based family preservation and reunification services to children and caregivers referred by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Advocate partners with families using a strengths-based trauma-informed culturally responsive Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to improve child safety strengthen protective factors prevent unnecessary out-of-home placement and support long-term family FunctionsFamily Engagement & AssessmentEstablish trusting relationships with children caregivers and family home and community visits based on program requirements and family FAST assessments ecological mapping and other required screening implement and update Prevention Plans and safety plans with Family ServicesProvide intensive in-home family preservation and reunification parenting skills communication budgeting household management and other life caregivers using Motivational Interviewing and solution-focused families in building protective factors and natural support Intervention & AdvocacyRespond to family crises and participate in the on-call rotation as for families with schools healthcare providers behavioral health agencies courts and community families with applications for benefits community resources housing employment transportation and other Family Team Meetings Team Decision Meetings court hearings and other required & ComplianceComplete case notes assessments reports and electronic documentation within required accurate case records and required MDHHS satisfaction surveys and required three- and six-month follow-up contacts after case compliance with agency policy confidentiality standards and MDHHS contractual closely with Parent Partners Supervisors MDHHS staff and community in case staffing supervision quality assurance activities and multidisciplinary in community outreach and collaborative initiatives supporting child and family DevelopmentComplete all required MDHHS and UP Kids in supervision team meetings and continuous professional other duties as CompetenciesFamily-Centered PracticeTrauma-Informed CareMotivational InterviewingCultural ResponsivenessCommunicationAdvocacyProblem SolvingOrganization and DocumentationCollaborationProfessional EthicsQualificationsBachelors degree in Social Work Human Services Psychology Counseling Education or a related human services field qualifications permitted by MDHHS may be considered when working with children families child welfare family preservation behavioral health or related services Skills & AbilitiesKnowledge of child development family systems and trauma-informed to effectively engage families experiencing assessment advocacy communication and documentation to work independently while collaborating with an interdisciplinary with Microsoft Office and electronic case management RequirementsFrequent travel throughout assigned home and community visits in a variety of to sit stand bend climb stairs drive for extended periods and lift up to 25 to respond to urgent family situations when ConditionsWork is performed in office client homes schools healthcare facilities and community settings. Evening and occasional weekend hours local travel and participation in an on-call crisis rotation may be RequirementsValid Michigan drivers license reliable transportation and proof of automobile completion of ICHAT National and State Sex Offender Registry Central Registry and CPS background eligibility under MDHHS contractual requirements throughout all required MDHHS and UP Kids training.