Family Advocacy Associates provide short-term emergency assistance, including food, utility assistance, household goods, and clothing. A significant component of this position is organizing the donation warehouse, creating supply boxes for families in crisis, and helping to load materials into participant vehicles. Family Advocacy Associates are often a participant’s first contact with CAP—they assess the needs, provide any necessary short-term assistance, and make appropriate referrals to other CAP programs or community agencies. The Associate also assists with the seasonal Christmas and School Readiness programs.
Service Activities
--Performs all facets of the program’s operation including application procedures, interviewing to
complete assessments/histories/goals, providing emotional support and material assistance,
acting as a liaison with and making appropriate referrals to CAP and community agencies.
--Visits participants in their homes and treats each individual with dignity and respect.
--Provides case management services to program participants including application processing and
assessment for the various functions, determining appropriate action and maintaining detailed
documentation of action, home visits, progress reports, and other activity.
--Assists in the packing, distribution, storage, and transportation of all program materials, garden
supplies, Christmas gifts, school supplies, and food products.
--Responsible for administrative tasks related to participant case management, including accounting
for related expenses and submitting client reports and data.
--Provides follow-up services to participants.
--Responsible for assisting with gearing the program to the needs of individuals by demonstrating
concern for their cultural and socio-economic background.
--Serves in other CAP and AmeriCorps programs when doing so does not interfere with the above
duties.
--Participates in additional training and enrichment opportunities as assigned.
Community Need Addressed
Many low-income families in Appalachian Kentucky lack resources to respond to crisis (utility cutoffs, disaster) and ongoing needs.
Position Outcomes
Corps members will meet the emergency needs of low-income families.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
In addition to the benefits described above, members also receive access to free mental health counseling.
All food and housing is provided for members who choose to live in a CAP volunteer community house. Members who choose to live on their own receive an increased living allowance in lieu of room and board.
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma
CPR, First Aid
Skills you will gain
casework, communication, conflict resolution
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment