Internships
Now accepting applications for Spring 2024!
We are accepting applications until the position is filled. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter to Megan Prouty and Ashley Krois at mprouty@firstwitness.org and akrois@firstwitness.org
Job Description/Responsibilities:
- Job functions as an intern at First Witness may include, but are not limited to:
- Develop rapport and provide a safe space for children that come in for a forensic interview.
- Monitor forensic interviews
- Respond and support non offending caregivers with advocates during crisis interventions
- Attend prevention education, caregiver & professional presentations
- Fundraising and help with special events
- Marketing/social media
- Assist in data management as assigned by staff
- Office administration
- Other special tasks as assigned by staff
Students interested in, or majoring in, the following areas may benefit from a First Witness internship: social work, psychology, criminology, law enforcement, sociology, gender studies, child development, etc.
Employment
Family Advocate and Trainer
First Witness Child Advocacy Center is seeking a Family Advocate and Trainer to join the family advocacy and training team. Our Family Advocates and Trainers provide crisis advocacy and support to children and non-offending caregivers, conduct community outreach, and train professionals, children, and families nationally and locally.
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and two references to Madeline Kvale: mkvale@firstwitness.org We will begin to review resumes on Tuesday, September 26, and applications are accepted until the position is filled.
About First Witness
First Witness Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a child-focused non-profit agency offering hope, healing, and justice for alleged victims of child abuse and their families. We provide forensically sound interviews for children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults who have reported sexual abuse, physical abuse, witnessed violence, or who may have been otherwise victimized. Our family advocates help parents understand the system and professionals involved and connect children and families with resources in their community. First Witness is a nationally recognized training center, and trains forensic interviewers, family advocates, and other professionals throughout the US as well as children, families, and youth serving professionals in the St. Louis, Lake, and Carlton County regions.
Job Description
General Description
The Family Advocate and Trainer’s primary responsibility is to provide family crisis advocacy and support to children and non-offending caregivers. Additionally, this position will conduct community outreach, prevention education, and professional training to children, families, and advocates locally and nationally.
The salary range for this position is $37,800-$39,000 annually; the final salary will be dependent on qualifications and experience. This position is 40 hour/week position, with most work hours taking place between 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday and occasional (3-4x monthly) evening and weekend hours for community events and emergency/crisis advocacy services. First Witness offers full benefits (health, dental, life, long-term disability, and 401k employer contribution after a year of employment).
Responsibilities
Family Advocacy
- Provide family advocacy to children and non-offending caregivers, centering their identified needs and desired outcomes. Activities may include:
- Provide information regarding dynamics of abuse and the coordinated multidisciplinary team response to child abuse
- Provide or ensure updates on case status for families
- Provide assistance accessing/obtaining victim’s rights as outlined by MN Statute 611A
- Provide court education, support, and accompaniment for all court processes
- Provide assistance with access to treatment and other services such as protective orders, housing, public assistance, domestic violence resources
- Provide education and facilitate support groups
- Provide referrals to other area resources to meet the self-identified needs of the family
- Develop services and programs to meet identified needs of children and non-offending caregivers
- Evaluate groups and services to ensure positive impact on families
- Participate in all case reviews
- Be available for community calls to respond to crisis situations as needed
- Ensure that all services meet National Children’s Alliance Standards
- Participate in Multidisciplinary (MDT) Meetings and other MDTs throughout the community
- Participate in systems change advocacy to ensure environments that facilitate growth and healing for all families that First Witness serves
Community Outreach and Training
- Conduct community and prevention education utilizing Safe and Strong Child© curriculum in local schools and Safe and Strong Communities curriculum in local organizations
- Provide professional in-person or virtual training to advocates and other professionals as an Advocacy Trainer in First Witness’ national training program
- Develop collaborative programs and trainings with other applicable agencies
- Provide technical assistance to professionals regarding mandated reporting laws, developmentally appropriate sexual behaviors, and service referrals
General responsibilities
- Support a positive environment for families, team members, and all others who enter First Witness
- Build positive community collaborations and relationships
- Participate in personal development and professional training, especially in the realm of cultural humility
- Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, and occasionally board meetings
Qualifications
- Commitment to ending child abuse
- Commitment to growth and learning about cultural humility
- Commitment to serving all members of our community
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, crisis intervention experience preferred
- Strong written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Demonstrated initiative and ability to learn quickly
- Experience working in a team environment
- Creative trouble shooter
- Relevant life or work experiences, or academic studies