Community Advocate

The Community Advocate works to ensure clients exiting Journey Center’s Emergency Shelter have continued access to case management and advocacy services. Under the general supervision of shelter leadership, the Community Advocate provides case management, safety planning, and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence exiting Emergency Shelter and assists clients in achieving goals to increase safety, maintain safe housing, build self-sufficiency and promote healthy life choices.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist clients in developing individualized case plans prior to discharge from Shelter
• Provide case management, crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy to clients
• Meet with all assigned clients monthly in order to review established goals, current needs, concerns, barriers, and successes
• Assist clients in obtaining and maintaining entitlements and linkages to community resources including, but not limited to, Social Security Administration, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Division of Children and Family Services, employment, and housing
• Assess the lethality of a client’s situation and provide ongoing safety planning services
• Provide support for clients and listen to clients with a non-judgmental attitude
• Develop and maintain case records in agency database that document services provided to clients in accordance with agency standards and funders
• Assist with closure of shelter client records in collaboration with shelter leadership
• Review safety and risk management planning and participation in information sharing during weekly team meetings
• Explain victim’s rights as set by the state of Ohio
• Orient victims to civil and criminal justice system by explaining procedures and accompanying to court as needed
• Ensures that services are provided to clients in compliance with the policies and procedures and requirements of operation set forth by Journey Center and its funders
• Participate in staff meetings and other meetings as needed
• Facilitate/co-facilitate support and/or education groups as assigned
• Respect, understand, and promote Journey Center’s mission, values, and goals

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assume additional responsibilities and duties as needed or as assigned by shelter leadership

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field or equivalent experience working in the areas of domestic violence and child abuse
• Must have and maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license and appropriate insurance coverage
• Must maintain appropriate driving record
• Master’s Degree preferred
• 2 years’ experience working with domestic violence cases and group facilitation preferred
• Must be available to work extended and non-traditional work hours; Have the ability to tailor work hours to the needs of families

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

• Knowledge and compassion towards working with adults who have experienced domestic violence and/or child abuse
• Ability to make sensitive and insightful observations of individuals and to determine a course of intervention
• Considerable knowledge of civil and criminal court system, crisis intervention practices, interviewing, community referrals and resources, crime victimization, victim’s rights, and advocacy techniques; Show competent knowledge of agency and services provided
• Knowledge regarding domestic violence safety issues
• Knowledge of social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence
• Possess a trauma-informed approach to working with clients
• Sensitivity to working with diverse cultures and language abilities
• Working ability to communicate effectively with victims, law enforcement and court personnel; Coordinate and maintain effective working relationships with courts, agencies, and individuals
• Computer skills with word processing, database management, e-mail, fax, Windows applications capabilities
• Ability to make sensitive and insightful observations of clients and to determine an appropriate course of intervention
• Ability to address crisis situations which require prompt decision and action
• Working knowledge of community resources available for adult/child victims of domestic violence
• Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with staff, board members, accrediting bodies, grantors, funding bodies, clients, volunteers, and the general public
• Good written and verbal communication
• Willingness to respect, understand, and promote the mission, values, and goals of the agency
• Ability to incorporate Journey Center’s philosophy into assigned duties
  • Development of self-respect and respect for others
  • Celebration of diversity
  • Promotion of growth in each individual
  • Shared responsibility and involvement
  • Open, honest, ethical, and direct communication

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• Ability to perform job responsibilities in a facility with multiple levels and without elevators
• Must be able to provide services at various locations and provide client transportation using agency vehicles
• Communicate with others in person, electronically, or by phone on a consistent basis
• Regular and predictable attendance

This position description in not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Journey Center for Safety and Healing. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder’s responsibility.