DV/SA Shelter Advocate

Susan B. Anthony Project•Torrington, CT

10d•$23•Onsite

About The Position

Summary: To facilitate healing of victims/survivors by providing sound emotional support to victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their significant others and acting as advocate with legal, medical, and other social service professionals. Responsibilities: Coordinate with other staff to provide crisis line coverage 24/7/365 and be available for after-hours shifts as required, including nights, weekends and holidays Provide support counseling, advocacy, referral and follow-up for sheltered and non-sheltered clients using empowerment approach to enhance confidence and self-esteem Complete shelter screenings and intakes (within 24 hours) per established intake guidelines Welcome and orient new residents Support residents in establishing and achieving short and long-term goals Coordinate and facilitate weekly client house meetings Assist residents leaving shelter in transition to another living situation (including referrals, furniture, security deposits, applications) Provide necessary cleaning of resident rooms upon exit. Prepare rooms for new resident arrival Work to create a safe and clean-living environment by participating in cleaning the shelter Accompany adult victims/survivors to a hospital or private physician, police and/or court when requested. To provide advocacy and/or emotional support upon victim's/survivor’s request. Keep informed of all services, referral resources, legislation, and policies regarding victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault Make regular contact with community organizations/service providers to assure effective referrals Co-facilitate support groups and make every effort to provide childcare, if necessary Assist with community education and provide in-services as requested Provide application and information and support for Victim Compensation funds Maintain and provide service data/statistics as required Participate in individual and group supervision including advocate meetings and co-facilitator meetings Be an ambassador for Susan B. Anthony Project. Participate in events, programs and promotions of awareness and advocacy Other duties as assigned to further the mission of the agency Qualifications: Education and experience that may have been gained through relevant training, employment, or volunteer experience. Knowledge of counseling and social services Ability to understand and incorporate the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence into work Ability to understand and incorporate political/system's perspective of domestic violence/sexual abuse issues into work Training - certification as DV/SA counselor per statute Willingness to participate as a member of a team to enhance agency communication and operation Excellent problem solving, communications and follow up skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office Platform, and/or other programs Use of positive communications and proactive conflict resolution Ability to work with other agencies, systems, board and volunteers Daily access to a car with a valid CT driver’s license Able to lift and move 25 pounds Patience and a sense of humor Employees who are required to be certified to provide direct service to clients under the CGS 52-146K and the managers to these employees, are considered essential personnel. Their classification as essential personnel requires coverage of critical crisis services and residential presence during all shifts; daytime, nights, overnights, weekends, holidays, storms and other emergency situations.

Requirements

Education and experience that may have been gained through relevant training, employment, or volunteer experience.
Knowledge of counseling and social services
Ability to understand and incorporate the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence into work
Ability to understand and incorporate political/system's perspective of domestic violence/sexual abuse issues into work
Training - certification as DV/SA counselor per statute
Willingness to participate as a member of a team to enhance agency communication and operation
Excellent problem solving, communications and follow up skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Platform, and/or other programs
Use of positive communications and proactive conflict resolution
Ability to work with other agencies, systems, board and volunteers
Daily access to a car with a valid CT driver’s license
Able to lift and move 25 pounds
Patience and a sense of humor
Employees who are required to be certified to provide direct service to clients under the CGS 52-146K and the managers to these employees, are considered essential personnel. Their classification as essential personnel requires coverage of critical crisis services and residential presence during all shifts; daytime, nights, overnights, weekends, holidays, storms and other emergency situations.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with other staff to provide crisis line coverage 24/7/365 and be available for after-hours shifts as required, including nights, weekends and holidays
Provide support counseling, advocacy, referral and follow-up for sheltered and non-sheltered clients using empowerment approach to enhance confidence and self-esteem
Complete shelter screenings and intakes (within 24 hours) per established intake guidelines
Welcome and orient new residents
Support residents in establishing and achieving short and long-term goals
Coordinate and facilitate weekly client house meetings
Assist residents leaving shelter in transition to another living situation (including referrals, furniture, security deposits, applications)
Provide necessary cleaning of resident rooms upon exit.
Prepare rooms for new resident arrival
Work to create a safe and clean-living environment by participating in cleaning the shelter
Accompany adult victims/survivors to a hospital or private physician, police and/or court when requested.
To provide advocacy and/or emotional support upon victim's/survivor’s request.
Keep informed of all services, referral resources, legislation, and policies regarding victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
Make regular contact with community organizations/service providers to assure effective referrals
Co-facilitate support groups and make every effort to provide childcare, if necessary
Assist with community education and provide in-services as requested
Provide application and information and support for Victim Compensation funds
Maintain and provide service data/statistics as required
Participate in individual and group supervision including advocate meetings and co-facilitator meetings
Be an ambassador for Susan B. Anthony Project.
Participate in events, programs and promotions of awareness and advocacy
Other duties as assigned to further the mission of the agency