DV Advocate- Family Program

Family DV Advocate

Job Description

Reports directly to: Director of Residential Services     

Position Information:

• 40 hours per week/full-time.
• Monday through Friday with regular evening and occasional weekend hours.
• On-call responsibilities on a rotating basis, additional compensation provided for being on call.
• Non-exempt position.
• Pay Rate: $19.50-$22.55

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: SafeHouse Denver, Inc. is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunities. We provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and their ability and willingness to perform the duties necessary to accomplish the job, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender variance or identification, disability, military status, economic status, citizenship status, and/or veteran status. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.

Position Summary: Under the direct supervision of the Director of Residential Services, the Family Advocate is responsible for providing services to victims of domestic violence by:  responding to callers who access the SafeHouse 24-hour crisis line; screening potential emergency shelter residents; providing initial intakes for new residents; providing short-term individual advocacy, short-term counseling, safety planning, and crisis intervention to all residents; providing case management services for up to four adults and their children; facilitating children’s groups; and supporting a safe and secure shelter space.

Qualifications: Master’s of Social Work or related field preferred. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology or related field required.  1-2 experience with children and/or adolescents required. 2 years experience with domestic violence victims in a residential setting preferred. Group experience with children highly preferred. Successful candidate must have a strong working knowledge of domestic violence, working knowledge of  trauma informed/empowerment models, demonstrated skills in case management, safety planning, crisis intervention, individual advocacy, and short-term counseling. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.  Ability to function independently and as a team member.  Must exhibit a positive attitude.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Utilizing trauma-informed/empowerment models the Family Advocate  

Responds to callers who access the SafeHouse 24 hours crisis line

•  Provides emotional support, crisis intervention, and de-escalation

• Provides information and education on domestic abuse, trauma response, and coping skills
• Supports callers in assessing immediate needs, identifying culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and supports callers in developing a plan of action
• Provides safety planning by supporting callers in assessing danger/risks, identifying culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and supports callers in implementing their safety plan
• Screens callers for shelter

Provides initial intake of new residents

• Orientates new residents to the shelter building and program
• Provides appraisal of the resident’s presenting problem
• Assess immediate needs, identify culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and support residents in developing a plan of action
• Provides safety planning by supporting residents in assessing danger/risks, identifying culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and supports residents in implementing their safety plan
• Provides emotional support, de-escalation, and crisis intervention during the intake process

Provides short-term individual advocacy, short-term counseling, safety planning, and crisis intervention to all residents, including children

• Provides emotional support, crisis intervention, and de-escalation to residents as needed or requested
• Supports residents in developing short-term goals plans to address immediate concerns
• Provides information and education about domestic abuse, trauma response, and coping skills

• Provides safety planning by supporting residents in assessing danger/risks, identifying culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and supports residents in implementing their safety plan

• Communicates with Primary Advocates to ensure quality services to residents

Provides case management services for up to 5 emergency shelter residents and their children

• Conducts and initial meeting with new resident to assist residents in identifying needs and goals
• Links residents to culturally appropriate resources and referrals to meet immediate/ongoing needs and goals
• Meets as needed to provide ongoing support and encouragement
• Advocates on behalf of residents with outside agencies and within the program to support residents in meeting needs and goals
• Support residents with transitions from the emergency shelter by conducting exit interviews

Co- manages the Family Program

• Plan and facilitate weekly, evening groups for children and adolescents
• Provides parenting support as needed
• Co-facilitates all resource management for school, parenting etc.

Supports a safe and secure shelter space

• Supports a safe and respectful community living environment by providing emotional support, de-escalation, conflict management, problem solving, and crisis intervention
• Conducts regular safety checks and safety searches as needed
• Supports participation in the shelter program and community living by providing and explaining information about the shelter program and clarifying expectations of residents
• Supports residents in meeting their day to day needs by supplying personal items, shelter supplies and food

Maintains accurate and timely record keeping 

• Responsible for appropriate charting and all necessary documentation

Demonstrates initiative and vision for service quality, service improvement, program development/growth, problem prevention, and problem resolution 

• Works diligently to achieve individual, team, and agency goals and objectives
• Participates with all staff to assure coordinated services both within the Shelter and across all agency programs
• Utilizes ethical communication to resolve problems or conflicts with team members
• Attends weekly case management/staff meetings, monthly all agency meetings, and program meetings
• Actively participates in program development
• Participates in agency and community educational opportunities to maintain and improve skills

Represents SafeHouse and promotes SafeHouse services in a positive and professional manner 

• Networks with other service providers and community agencies in an effort to assist clients and the agency

Rotates week long on-call shifts to provide adequate phone consultation and support to team members

• Responds to phone calls within 15 minutes of first contact by a fellow team member
• Effectively supports and collaborates with onsite staff to address questions, and resolve issues as needed

All other duties as assigned