Family Advocacy
Family Advocates play an integral role at our Child Advocacy Center to educate, support, advocate and connect families with necessary services in order to help the family heal after a personal tragedy has affected their lives. Family Advocates ensure that children and families get support, education and resources they need to overcome the trauma of abuse for as long as they need assistance.
Even after the Forensic Interview, Mission Kids continues to support the children and families it serves through its Family Advocacy Program. From the first day you meet until the trial or court process, and after if necessary, your Family Advocate will be present and proactive during the entire healing process. A Family Advocate’s role is to provide support, information, referral services, victim’s compensation assistance, court support and other assistance.
Our Services Include:
- Advocacy: Family Advocates work collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and caregivers to ensure that the child’s voice is heard.
- Support: Family Advocates provide emotional support for clients who have disclosed abuse as they proceed through the judicial system and child welfare systems.
- Information: Family Advocates provide clients with status updates regarding criminal investigations and prosecution. Advocates also provide aid in connecting them to resources in the community.
- Assistance with tangible needs: Sometimes, families are in financial crisis and need help with food, clothing, housing, employment, finances, and other aspects of living. Family Advocates help coordinate services and gather resources to make sure families’ needs are met. We also partner with Laurel House to provide families with immediate shelter and longer term housing needs if they are experiencing violence in their home.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Program Director, Jane Kim at jkim@missionkidscac.org or call 484-687-2990, ext. 1015.
