Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate

ADC Management Services•Colorado Springs, CO

5d•$30 - $30

About The Position

Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates (DAVAs) work with the United States Air Force Family Advocacy Program to provide 24/7 non-clinical crisis intervention and ongoing support, upon request, to Air Force personnel, family members, and intimate partners who are victims of domestic abuse. Services include safety and risk assessments, explaining victims’ rights, creating safety plans, accompaniment to court, medical, or legal appointments, and providing information and referrals. DAVAs also promote a coordinated community response to domestic abuse and support the Family Advocacy Program through system advocacy, education, and public awareness. The role requires at least 40 hours per week and 24/7 on-call response. Services may be delivered by telephone or in person according to client needs. With the Social Work Supervisor’s discretion, the advocate may also provide emotional support and information and referral services to the non-offending caregiver in a child maltreatment or youth sexual assault case.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling or behavioral science, psychology, criminal justice, marriage, family and child counseling, or a related field.
Two years of experience assisting and providing advocacy services to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.
Knowledge of military programs, organizations, chain of command, unit missions, lifestyles, and situations that contribute to family stress, problems, and crises.
Provide proof of immunization, according to CDC guidelines, for hepatitis B, varicella, measles, influenza, mumps, and rubella.
Provide proof of a negative TB skin test completed within the past 12 months.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to input, retrieve, and format documentation using various databases and software.
For DAVA personnel working within a Military Treatment Facility, maintain current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (Course C) or the American Red Cross CPR/BLS (Heart Saver) Course.

Responsibilities

Provide 24/7 response to victims alleging abuse, by telephone or in person according to client needs.
Develop a case-specific safety plan, prioritizing the victim’s safety.
Conduct initial and ongoing risk assessments.
Advise victims about military or civil actions available to promote safety, such as military orders of protection, restraining orders, and injunctions.
Provide information about resources addressing victims’ identified needs, including emergency shelter, housing, childcare, legal services, clinical resources, medical services, and transitional compensation.
Accompany clients to appointments or court proceedings when requested.
Keep the social work supervisor and designated point of contact informed of the advocate’s location and timelines while providing victim services.
Evaluate the installation’s coordinated community response and collaborate with base agencies to improve the system response to victims.
Empower victims to participate in plans and decisions about their own safety and the safety of their children.
Collaborate with the Security Forces Squadron, Office of Special Investigations, and Military Medical Treatment Facilities, and establish protocols with them.
At the Social Work Supervisor’s discretion, provide emotional support and information and referral services to the non-offending caregiver in a child maltreatment or youth sexual assault case.
Promote a coordinated community response and support the Family Advocacy Program through system advocacy, education, and public awareness.