Total child maltreatment referrals decreased somewhat during the peak years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Child Maltreatment 2022 report from the Children’s Bureau (released in 2024). Yet, these figures returned to roughly pre-pandemic levels by 2022, continuing a disturbing upward trend. Data from the report showed various sources made an estimated 4,276,000 referrals to child protective services (CPS) agencies, involving the alleged maltreatment of roughly 7,530,000 children. Forms of maltreatment include neglect, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment and sexual abuse.
When seeking justice for child victims, the investigation to charge, arrest and prosecute an alleged offender involves several organizations. Crime victims must often explain one of their worst experiences repeatedly to police officers, attorneys, judges and others. For a child, this can be traumatic and cause them to re-live the abuse.
In an effort to reduce trauma, judges regularly appoint a child advocate to serve as a liaison between the child and various organizations involved in the investigation, seeking to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. The online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Psychology – Child Advocacy program offered by Florida Institute of Technology prepares degree candidates with the expertise, skills and nuanced empathy needed to excel in this specialized and critically important professional role.
Job Responsibilities
Child advocates protect and promote the rights of children while providing resources and support for children and families in crisis. Professionals and volunteers work in many different settings, helping children in various ways.
Judge-appointed advocates speak on behalf of and in the best interest of abused and neglected children in court and other settings. Duties include testifying, reporting to the child welfare system, reviewing documents, interviewing children and family members, and more.
Child advocates may also specialize in other areas, including foster care placement and arranging adoptions. They may work with children and teens struggling with drugs, facing homelessness and committing crimes. Becoming a child advocate involves understanding different aspects of social work and the law.
Child advocates perform a range of duties including providing counseling services, consulting with other agencies and professionals, creating formal reports, and arranging additional services. These services may include treatment for substance abuse, parenting classes and adequate childcare.
How to Become a Child Advocate
Child advocates may work in salaried positions or serve as volunteers through advocacy agencies. According to Indeed’s career guide, the first step toward becoming a child advocate is gaining experience working with children through youth-centric jobs or volunteer positions.
Aspiring child advocates continue their career progression through earning a bachelor’s degree in an area related to social work such as psychology, health and human services, or behavioral sciences. Florida Tech’s BA in Applied Psychology – Child Advocacy program provides professionals with the educational foundation to pursue a professional career in this field. Most states further require that licensed, salaried child advocates have a master’s degree and licensure as a clinical social worker.
Organizations like the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) provide numerous resources for those interested in pursuing this important career. The NCAC operates more than 1,000 centers in the U.S. and 41 other countries globally. The organization offers various training services and online courses, addressing myriad issues that impact children and professionals in the field.
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children provides training for eligible adults to become volunteer child advocates. There are more than 940 state CASA/GAL organizations and local CASA/GAL programs across the country that recruit, train and provide support for volunteers. Volunteers receive training for courtroom procedures, social services, the juvenile justice system and the needs of neglected and abused children.
Pay and Job Growth
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies clinical social workers like child advocates under the umbrella occupation of social work. According to BLS, social workers earned a median annual wage of $58,380 in 2023. At 7% from 2022 to 2032, projected employment growth for social workers is faster than the average projected growth for all occupations. Salary potential and employment opportunities may vary widely, depending on factors such as a candidate’s education, work and volunteer experience, as well as regional market conditions.
Career Paths in Child Advocacy
Pursuing a career in child advocacy can lead professionals down many paths, including working for welfare organizations, foster care services, community centers, mental health facilities and children’s advocacy centers. A child advocacy center is a child-friendly, non-threatening environment where children can receive services from a team of professionals in one central location. Centers work directly with CPS agencies to provide services including forensic interviews, medical evaluations, mental health services and other family and victim advocate services.
Career opportunities and job titles include becoming a youth case worker, CPS worker, child welfare specialist, foster care social worker or youth counselor. Professionals in the field may also specialize in specific functions, including forensic interviewing.
Jobs related to child advocacy are among the many careers working with children that may require a bachelor’s degree in psychology. As noted earlier, most states also require that certain types of social workers hold licensure, so those interested should contact their state board to determine the requirements.
Make a Difference As a Child Advocate
Professionals working in child advocacy must be patient and empathetic and possess superior interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, communication and time management skills. For those who want to make an impact on a child’s life and provide a voice that may otherwise not be heard, this could be a rewarding career path.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online BA in Applied Psychology – Child Advocacy program.
