Assistant Child Advocate - Program Coordinator II

Responsibilities Of The Assistant Child Advocate

Under direction of the Critical Investigations Team Lead and pursuant to Agency's investigative policy and procedures, employee performs intake and investigative functions regarding Critical Incident Notifications which are submitted by the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, John de la Howe, School of the Deaf and Blind, and Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School in an effort to ensure that children under the care of a state agency, particularly children served by the child welfare or juvenile justice systems, receive timely, safe and effective services and to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of all children receiving services.

The Assistant Child Advocate will receive critical incident notifications, communicate with the Critical Investigations Unit Director or designee regarding whether to catalogue the CIN or to investigate the report; maintain records regarding all CINs and monitor investigations. Investigations will be conducted pursuant to statute and the Agency’s investigative policy and procedure. ACA will be required to strictly adhere to state and federal laws regarding confidentiality.

The ACA will frequently communicate with youth and government office and agency staff and must possess the knowledge, skills and ability to conduct investigations, identify relevant issues, manage time and tasks, document pertinent information in the Agency’s database, maintain records, and effectively communicate in a professional and courteous manner. The ACA will be responsible for avoiding a conflict of interest and exhibiting excellent customer service.

Under direct supervision by the Critical Investigations Team Lead, the employee will be responsible for accepting, cataloging, monitoring, and investigating CINs submitted from Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, John de la Howe, School of the Deaf and Blind, and Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School.

Employee will be guided by state laws and the Agency s intake and investigative policy and procedure and must be capable of working independently and collaboratively with other people and agencies in a respectful and professional manner. This position is responsible for the investigation of critical incidents, which are deaths, near deaths, sexual assaults, attempted sexual assaults, and the substantial risk thereof and requires high level of sensitivity, confidentiality, and in-depth analysis.

• Answer and receive electronic Critical Incident Notifications submitted by Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, John de la Howe, School of the Deaf and Blind, and Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School.
• Review, track, monitor and/or investigate CINs submitted to DCA from Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, John de la Howe, School of the Deaf and Blind, and Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School.
• Effectively communicate and interact with state agencies, children served, DCA staff, and external staff to fulfill the mission of DCA and to represent DCA in a professional manner.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance the delivery of services by the System Improvement Division; strictly adhere to all agency and division policies and applicable state and federal laws, including but not limited to confidentiality, mandatory reporting, job functions, and other operational requirements; and consistently engage in best practices related to intakes and…