Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Advocate

SAFESPACE INC•Vero Beach, FL

85d•Onsite

About The Position

The Domestic Violence and Child Welfare (DVCW) serves as the expert on child welfare involved domestic violence cases and helps build the capacity of child welfare professionals to partner with survivors and hold batterers accountable through case staffings, case consultations, and staff training. Although the primary role of the DVCW Advocate is to serve as a consultant to the child welfare staff, the advocate is also available to provide safety planning, advocacy, crisis intervention, advocacy and ongoing supportive services to domestic violence survivors. The DVCW Advocate will be co-located in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child Protection Investigation (CPI) Unit.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social work or related human services field preferred and one year or more providing case management, crisis intervention and/or advocacy to vulnerable, at-risk, or culturally specific populations. May substitute equivalent professional experience with a High School diploma or GED.
Must have a strong understanding of and commitment to the understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and empowerment-based advocacy, including the intersection of domestic violence and children.
Must have a comprehensive understanding of the services and programs of the local certified domestic violence center or child welfare system.
Must have skills that allow for working independently and collaboratively with community partners.
Must be flexible in working hours to deal with unexpected needs or emergency situations that may arise and be prepared to work effectively with various populations of people.
Ability to engage in and model supportive, healthy relationships, with survivors, peers, staff and community members, as well as safely de-escalate a crisis, conflict, and critical event utilizing a trauma-informed de-escalation approach.
Must have ability to communicate efficiently utilizing verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills including presentation skills to address small and large groups.
Must adhere to SafeSpace ethics, policies, procedures, and contractual standards.
Must have the ability to gain knowledge of local resources, social service agencies, including government systems and child welfare practices with investigations and dependency.
Must maintain and protect the confidentiality of the program participants and shelter locations within agency guidelines and state statutes.
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.
Must be organized and detail-oriented to report and collect accurate data and information.
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).

Nice To Haves

Bilingual language skills are preferred. (Spanish)

Responsibilities

Make follow-up calls to domestic violence survivors upon receipt of a referral form from the child welfare staff.
Connect survivors with services provided by the certified domestic violence center based on their specific needs.
Participate in formal and informal staffings of cases involving domestic violence.
Consult in the development of safety plans and/or case plans that enhance survivor and child safety while holding batterers accountable for their violence.
Facilitate monthly meetings with DCF, local Community Based Care (CBC) agency, and other CPI project partners to discuss successes, barriers to collaboration, and to develop strategies to resolve emerging issues with CPI project.
Serve as a liaison between child welfare and the domestic violence center staff.
Conduct onsite training for local child welfare professionals on topics including, but not limited to, the dynamics of domestic violence, the intersection of domestic violence and child maltreatment, batterer accountability, and safety planning.
Conduct onsite training to domestic violence center staff on the child welfare system and best practices when working with survivors involved in the child welfare system.
Participate in training offered by DCF or other local child welfare partners.
Participate in trainings, meetings, technical assistance visits, webinars, and conference calls as required by DCF and FLDVC.
Submit monthly reports which include information about progress to date on CPI Project deliverables.
Collect and report non-personally identifying aggregate data regarding project activities and services.
Keep track of referrals and consultations by county to identify areas of growth.
Provide crisis intervention services and supportive counseling.
Provide adult and child safety planning.
Provide advocacy within the child welfare and criminal justice systems.
Provide Growing together support groups.
Provide information and referrals for other services as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned related to the CPI Project.