FAP VA & Educator

This position is a Family Advocacy Program Victim Advocate and Educator and the primary purposes of this position is to provide family advocacy services for victims of spouse/intimate partner abuse and child abuse, community outreach, and education and training for the serviced population. Additionally,provide assistance to non-offending parents or caregivers to victims of child abuse. This position requires one of the following;
Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more ofthe behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
OR
Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of oneor more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. FAP VAServes as Victim Advocate for the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) to provide comprehensive assistance and liaison to and for victims of spouse/intimate partner abuse and non-offending parents or caregivers of victims of child abuse; and to educate personnel on the installation regarding the most effective responses to domestic violence/intimate partner abuse on behalf of victims and at-risk family members. Screens victims of domestic abuse, evaluates their needs, and provides them with information about domestic violence, safe and confidential ways to seek assistance, their rights as Navy spouses, and the resources and services available to them. Coordinates with FAP case manager in developing appropriate plan of assistance/intervention, which provides for the safety of the victim and their family members.

Provides advocacy services to non-offending parents or caregivers of identified victims of child abuse. This includes: safety planning, identifying supportive resources, working with civilian authorities, and creating an environment that makes it easy for the non-offending parent or caregiver to support the child.
Reports all suspected child abuse or neglect cases to proper state child protective service authorities in coordination with the Family Advocacy Representative (FAR) or investigation. Reports incidents to Military Police and NCIS as appropriate.

Be the point of contact for assisting and processing all Transitional Compensation for Abused Dependents (TCAD) applications.

Provide child focused advocacy and support services for parents of children involved in cases of Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth (PSB-CY), ensuring all actions comply with Department of Defense (DoD) and Navy instructions and civilian reporting requirements.

Complete all required documentation (Victim Advocate Contact notes, collateral contacts, safety plans, and required statistical data) in the DoD Military Community and Family Policy PSB-CY Case Management System, as required.

Assist in facilitation of FAP training and education services to ensure active-duty military and their families are aware of the continuum of sexual behaviors, risk pathways, indicators and impact of problematic sexual behaviors in children and youth and the services available to them.

FAP Educator
Provide instruction to small groups and large classes in issues related to marriage enhancement, positive parenting, anger management, stress management, communication skills, conflict resolution, domestic abuse prevention and awareness, and child abuse prevention and awareness.

Develop and facilitate briefings and classes to commands and other military agencies on domestic abuse and child abuse in order to promote healthy family interactions and reduce incidences of family maltreatment.

Conduct needs assessments to identify gaps in services and improve prevention programming. Analyze installation specific data regarding child abuse and domestic abuse to identify populations at risk, trends, and areas of improvements. Evaluate the effectiveness of current programming and make recommendations for programming improvements.

Community Outreach

Participate in the Family Advocacy Committee (FAC) the policy-making, coordinating, recommending, and overseeing body for the response to child abuse and domestic abuse with other agencies in accordance with the Department of Defense Instruction.

Collaborate with other agencies within the “Coordinated Community Response” (CCR) framework under the FAC. Assist with the development of the CCR annual plan with specific objectives, strategies, and measurable outcomes. The annual plan includes universal, selective, and indicated interventions based on identified installation trends in regards to child abuse and domestic abuse.

Collaborate with other program specialists who develop the program evaluation plan, suggests methodology, and provides guidance on handling of technical problems, and public relations issues. Establish and maintain command and military community relationships. Collaborate with other military agencies to support and ensure command and unit training requirements are achieved.

Establish relationships with civilian organizations to improve coordination on issues related to family violence, engage in proactive outreach, and implement prevention programming.

• Knowledge of social services work, counseling services, psychosocial principles and theories, and group dynamics of family and individual systems.
• Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic, interpersonal and family violence to include domestic violence and child abuse.
• Knowledge of child advocacy to include working with the non-offending parent of an abused child. Knowledge of child abuse within domestic abuse context.
• Knowledge of child abuse effects on victims.
• Knowledge of community resources and services, crisis intervention, and how individuals in distress may quickly obtain the types of assistance they need. Knowledge of laws pertaining to family relationships and protection of children and adults.
• Knowledge of adult learning theories.
• Knowledge of military organizations, missions, lifestyles, and situations, which can contribute to family stress, problems and crises.
• Knowledge of the delivery of education services, with a focus on human/personal growth and development.
• Skill in providing crisis intervention, safety planning and procedures, and civilian and military orders of protection.
• Skill in preparing court testimony and victim impact statements.
• Skill in developing and coordinating family enrichment programs to meet identified needs.
• Skill in FAP training development, curriculum delivery, review and update.
• Skill in the use of program presentation technology including PowerPoint software, automated projectors and audiovisual equipment, laser pointers, etc.
• Ability to interact with diverse individuals during crises, including persons in the medical, legal, and social service communities.
• Ability to interpret program evaluations, needs assessment feedback, and survey data and to implement results in program delivery and market planning.
• Ability to present information to large, medium, and small groups of people in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in a professional manner. Ability to compose written reports and material clearly, concisely and effectively.