Direct Service Advocate_HYPP_3rd_FT

YWCA of Western Massachusetts•Springfield, MA

26d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Service Advocate (DSA) is responsible for providing support, advocacy and role modeling to adult, teen and child program participants living in the YWCA’s residential programs. DSA’s are part of a team model working with peers, supervisors, clinicians and outside connections to best serve program participants. DSA’s support the agency mission and trauma informed service model in order to provide safe, consistent and quality services to vulnerable populations.

Requirements

A.A. or equivalent education or experience in a human service field (Required)
Reliable transportation, safe driving record, and valid driver’s license required.
Must be able to be covered by the agency's insurance policy.
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.

Nice To Haves

One year of counseling and direct service experience (Preferred)
Experience with victims of domestic violence (Preferred)

Responsibilities

Nurture and support a milieu approach that is participant-guided, family-driven, strengths-based, and trauma-informed; and embraces a framework of empowerment and encouragement, engaging with 100% of individuals and families that are on-site each shift.
Encourage and support the development of life skills, positive parenting and improved parent-child interaction
Follow and encourage the programs daily schedule and facilitate resident participation and community responsibilities, taking into account individualized plans for each participant.
Ensure program procedures, rules, regulations and policies are followed to ensure a safe and supportive living environment including completion of 100% of all required safety sweeps (minimum of four times) each shift to ensure premises including alarms, doors, windows, appliances and bedrooms are all safe.
To ensure participants are properly welcomed to the program, prepares rooms for new families within 1-2 shifts from previous exit.
Provide daily information as it relates to data collection and outcome measurements through the completion of 100% of AWARDS logs prior to end of shift.
Required documentation and daily program communication including case notes, resident files and communication logs, completing 100% of all documentation prior to the end of shift.
Perform regular job duties to be observed by new staff during the job shadowing portion of program orientation.
Ensure thorough communication of staff from shift to shift.
To support children’s safety and well-being, ensure mothers supervise children at all times and offer support to moms during a crisis or periods where they may be overwhelmed.
Conducts safety checks on residents and children as needed and completes 100% of all required safety checks.
Attend scheduled staff meetings, supervision and trainings as required.
Responsible for upkeep of the facility and property (including, but not limited to: vacuuming, laundry, shoveling, raking, mopping, preparation of bedrooms) including ensuring 100% of chores were completed properly before signing off on the chore list. This must be done during your assigned shift.
Maintain 1:6 staff to child ratio at all times.
It is a 24/7 program, staff are responsible to work Holiday shift depending on their schedule.
Conduct oneself at all times in a respectable professional manner
Perform other related duties as needed.