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Family protection specialist vs child advocate

The differences between family protection specialists and child advocates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a family protection specialist and a child advocate. Additionally, a family protection specialist has an average salary of $39,627, which is higher than the $37,885 average annual salary of a child advocate.

The top three skills for a family protection specialist include social work, child abuse and foster children. The most important skills for a child advocate are social work, safety planning, and crisis intervention.

Family protection specialist vs child advocate overview

Family Protection SpecialistChild Advocate
Yearly salary$39,627$37,885
Hourly rate$19.05$18.21
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs22,35888,678
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Family protection specialist vs child advocate salary

Family protection specialists and child advocates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family Protection SpecialistChild Advocate
Average salary$39,627$37,885
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $67,000Between $30,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City-Pasadena, TX
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Suncoast Center
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between family protection specialist and child advocate education

There are a few differences between a family protection specialist and a child advocate in terms of educational background:

Family Protection SpecialistChild Advocate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeBoston CollegeHunter College of the City University of New York

Family protection specialist vs child advocate demographics

Here are the differences between family protection specialists' and child advocates' demographics:

Family Protection SpecialistChild Advocate
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 11.4% Female, 88.6%Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between family protection specialist and child advocate duties and responsibilities

Family protection specialist example responsibilities.

  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
  • Mediate conflicts between patients, handle medical emergencies, assist patients in developing and implementing positive and cooperative living skills.
  • Testify in youth and chancery court when warrant.
  • Determine participants' eligibility for program by gathering data and maintaining information to ensure clients are compliant for TANF program regulations.

Child advocate example responsibilities.

  • Offer immediate practical assistance to the family in obtaining Medicaid coverage, financial assistance or help with housing.
  • Assist patients in securing medical coverage by screening refer patients and coordinating the application process through successful approval.
  • Complete risk assessments and develop comprehensive intervention plans to address safety, communication, and problem solving abilities.

Family protection specialist vs child advocate skills

Common family protection specialist skills
  • Social Work, 28%
  • Child Abuse, 15%
  • Foster Children, 7%
  • Vulnerable Adults, 6%
  • Risk Assessments, 5%
  • Foster Care, 5%
Common child advocate skills
  • Social Work, 16%
  • Safety Planning, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Child Abuse, 5%
  • Child Advocacy, 5%

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