DV Child Advocate Position Available In Indian River, Florida

DV Child Advocate 3.1 3.1 out of 5 stars Vero Beach, FL 32960

Position Summary:

The Child Advocate is responsible for implementing the SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Program utilizing an empowerment based, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered service model that supports the well-being of children/adolescents exposed to intimate partner violence. The Child Advocate provides direct crisis intervention, comprehensive case management, youth assessment, safety planning, education, information and referrals, and individual and group advocacy to children and their parents. The Child Advocate handles hotline calls to assess callers for eligibility and provides telephone advocacy services to callers. The Child Advocate assists with the daily operations of the emergency DV shelter and assists with health and safety tasks, inventory, distribution of supplies, organizing and cleaning, as needed. The Child Advocate primarily serves individuals and families residing within the emergency shelter and provides services to Outreach participants as needed and requested. The position schedule is Monday – Friday, 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm; with flexibility to cover 1 weekend shift monthly.

Qualifications and Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related human services field preferred or High School diploma/ GED, and prior equivalent experience; and one year or more providing case management, crisis intervention and/or advocacy to youth who are vulnerable, at-risk, or culturally specific. Experience in the victim services field of domestic violence, sexual violence or human trafficking is preferred. Ability to engage in and model supportive, healthy relationships, with survivors, peers, staff and community members. Ability to safely de-escalate a crisis, conflict, and critical event utilizing a trauma-informed de-escalation approach. Must adhere to SafeSpace ethics, policies, procedures, and contractual standards. Must have the ability to gain knowledge of local community resources, social service agencies, including government systems for survivors and their children. Ability to communicate efficiently utilizing verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to effectively engage with young children and adolescents in an individual and group setting. Must maintain and protect the confidentiality of the program participants and shelter locations within agency guidelines and state statutes. Bilingual language skills are preferred. Must be willing to support the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency. Must be able to pass a level two background screen. Must maintain a valid driver’s license with reliable transportation to work at various locations including both emergency shelters and outreach locations. Ability to be flexible and provide coverage when needed to meet SafeSpace Martin County and Indian River County emergency shelter scheduling needs, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed. Must be organized and detail-oriented to report and collect accurate data and information. Must be able to handle and prioritize emergencies and unexpected needs of program participants. Ability to be self-motivated and work as part of a collaborative team.

Training Requirements:

Required onboarding training will be conducted at the Admin. office or designated location during the hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday regardless of shift schedule. Must successfully complete CORE Competency training provided by the agency within 90 days of employment and participate in ongoing mandatory education and skills training on relevant topics as required by statutory funding, certification of the agency or personnel, or as identified to improve employee performance. Must maintain annual training requirements outlined in the employee manual. Must have or gain knowledge in Florida Domestic Violence Statutes, Injunctions for Protection, court procedures, victim rights, Office of the Attorney General Victim Compensation / Relocation and Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), and the Florida Department of Corrections VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday).

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in outreach locations, throughout SafeSpace service areas, including the 24-hour emergency shelters. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Will be a noisy environment that is fast paced with high stimulation. Working with survivors of intimate partner domestic violence may increase exposure to secondary trauma.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work will be performed in both inside and outside environments.

Job Responsibilities:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain an all-inclusive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Handle Hotline calls from survivors, law enforcement officers, emergency dispatchers, and/or community partners, contacting the SafeSpace, Inc. Domestic Violence Hotline in a calm, professional, and non-judgmental manner.

Provide survivors/callers with the following:

eligibility and risk assessments, safety planning, information and referrals, emotional support, crisis intervention, domestic violence education, resources, and confidentiality. 5% As identified or requested, provide relevant referrals and information to meet the needs of children/adolescents/family including, local youth services, afterschool care, summer camps, and ELC. Coordinate parent/family support services with other agencies to address concerns expressed by parent / legal guardian. Provide parents with ongoing assistance in obtaining and navigating resources, and facilitate linkage to in-house and external resources, as appropriate 10% Facilitate shelter orientation with residents upon entry and communicate community living guidelines to survivors as outlined in the Resident Handbook and provide welcome kits. Complete shelter intakes within 24 hours with new survivors entering the shelter program and immediately enter all relevant client data / information into the SafeSpace client management database. 15% Schedule and facilitate ongoing youth and family case management appointments as needed and requested by the survivor and provide on-going safety planning, risk/lethality assessment, crisis counseling / advocacy, transportation, service plan coordination with outside agencies, case management, goal setting, assists with identifying and accessing safe housing, education on the dynamics of domestic violence, information and referrals, court accompaniment and exit meetings. 20% Develop and facilitate weekly advocacy sessions through individual and group activities to provide information and education that supports youth social and emotional development, safety, and wellbeing, facilitate activities focused on strengthening healthy parent and child relationships, promote healthy coping strategies and resiliency, celebrate birthdays, holidays, and significant events, provide safe and healthy parenting education, and provide education on the dynamics of healthy relationships. 25% Build and maintain effective partnerships with schools, youth serving agencies, and community-based resources to coordinate services and make referrals to appropriate providers and resources upon written consent of the parent. 5% Review and evaluate educational tools, including curricula to be utilized as part of the Children’s Program. Create and maintain the Children’s Program materials to promote services and raise awareness. Share family friendly community social events and resources. Maintain and update the resources available for families and youth. 3% Participate in case staffing, shift meetings, team meetings, and staff meetings. Engage in one-on-one supervision meetings with the DV Shelter Manager. 5% Conduct daily walk-throughs and take corrective action to meet compliance with SafeSpace policies, procedures, standards, regulations, to ensure health and safety standards are met. Maintain the cleanliness and safety of children’s indoor and outdoor play areas. 2.0% Conduct routine inventory of supplies to include food items, basic needs, and shelter supplies; assist in ordering and distributing supplies and donations. 2% Attend and facilitate professional development trainings, community events and interagency meetings as directed by the Supervisor. 3% Participate in other projects and assist with additional duties as requested by the Supervisor, including supporting the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency. 5%

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$20.00 per hour Expected hours: 8 per week

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift

Work Location:

In person