Athens County Child Advocacy Center

Volunteer/Student Intern Job Description

Contact

Bryttani Barker

Child and Family Advocate

Athens County Child Advocacy Center

444 W. Union St. Suite B

Athens, OH 45701

740-566-4847

Agency Overview

The Athens County Child Advocacy Center (ACCAC) is a non-profit organization that provides services for child abuse victims and their families. The ACCAC serves as a centralized, child-friendly location for interviewing and examining children who are victims of abuse. The ACCAC utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to provide a collaborative and cohesive response to child abuse. Children are interviewed by specially trained forensic interviewers, and cases are managed by the multi-disciplinary team. The MDT consists of representatives from Athens County Children Services, Athens County Prosecuting Attorney, Athens County Sheriff’s Office, mental health advocates, medical professionals, as well as the ACCAC’s Child and Family Advocate.

The primary goal of the ACCAC is to minimize the stress for the child and family and maximize the quality of the investigation. This coordination of services assists children and their families to receive immediate assistance, remain engaged in the treatment process, and remain informed about the status of the case.

The ACCAC also focuses on providing community education, training, and outreach in the community.

Hours Available

Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Practicum/internship hours are completed at the center primarily under the supervision of the Child and Family Advocate.

Qualifications

All applicants must:

  • Have a vested interest in the function and mission of the ACCAC
  • Complete an application, background check, and reference check
  • Adhere to agency policies and procedures
  • Sign a confidentiality form, and maintain a high and professional level of confidentiality at all times
  • Participate in a program orientation and any other necessary training
  • Dress in a manner that is appropriate to greet the public and represent the organization

Time Commitment and Attendance

All volunteers/interns are expected to:

  • Be open and honest about availability
  • Provide days and times that you are available and show up as scheduled. If unable to attend your scheduled day/time, the volunteer/intern should notify ACCAC staff at least the morning/afternoon before.
  • Stay with a project/activity/event until completion

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

General Office Help May include, but not limited to: Answer phones, enter information in the computer, assist with filing and organizing paperwork, prepare caregiver packets, check office/medical supplies, check mail, clean up waiting area and office, gather trash and recycling.

Client/Family Interaction This volunteer/intern position involves being at our office when a child is to be interviewed regarding suspected abuse. Volunteers/interns may interact with children before or after being interviewed, and interact with family members while children are being interviewed. Volunteers/interns may also interact with children and families through home visits, community meetings, and court hearings while accompanied by ACCAC staff.

Community Education and Prevention This volunteer/intern position may assist the director, Family Advocate, and other ACCAC members in providing trainings and workshops in the Athens community to prevent child abuse.

Fundraising This volunteer/intern position may assist the director in creating fundraising activities and events. The volunteer/intern may also be involved with the preparation of events and during events. The volunteer/intern may help create new fundraising activities with the director and other ACCAC members. They may help with the ACCAC’s annual fundraiser – “Movin’ & Groovin” each spring. This may include asking for and gathering donations of silent auction items from community members, drafting media announcements and other promotional material, and helping at the event itself.

Comments/Considerations

Each volunteer/intern’s skills and interests will be considered and evaluated.

Due to the nature of the work that is done at the ACCAC, there is potential for emotional and/or volatile situations. Situations of concern should be discussed with ACCAC staff. Volunteers/interns should be mindful of safety issues. Various safety issues will be reviewed at orientation.

This position outlines the major duties of this position. It does not include all aspects of the position such as potential additional duties assigned by ACCAC staff and the requirement for flexibility in helping others for the ACCAC’s overall benefit.

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