Domestic Violence Court Advocate

Domestic Violence Court Victim Advocate

Interval House is dedicated to ending domestic violence and providing services

that will prevent and break the cycle of family and intimate partner abuse.

We strive to reach all persons at risk and bring about social change.

Job Summary

Position Tittle: Full Time Domestic Violence Court Victim Advocate

Reports to: Director of Advocacy Programs

Hours: 35 hours/week

Revised: 5/23

Job Summary

The Family Violence Victim Advocate provides services to victims of family violence in the criminal court after the arrest of an intimate partner or family member. These services consist of support, safety planning, information, and advocacy designed to enhance the safety of victims from the time of arraignment throughout the court process. The FVVA works in court as part of the Family Violence Intervention Unit, which is administered by Court Support Services Division (CSSD) of Superior court and assist CSSD in recognizing the choices and needs of victims pre and post arraignment. The FVVA provides immediate as well as ongoing services and works not only within the legal system but also within the community at large to enhance both systems’ response to the needs of victims. This position is to be carried out while empowering victims with respect to their safety and their right to self-determination.

Primary Duties:

Direct Service

• Provide information about the criminal court process.
• Provide information about protective orders and civil retraining orders.
• Provide telephone and/or in person counseling.
• Provide assistance with registering with CT SAVIN/DOC Victim Notification Programs.
• Provide linkage to the Civil and Adult Advocate.
• Complete basic need assessment and provide applicable case management services.
• Provide referrals to appropriate agencies for collateral services.
• Provide referrals to domestic violence programs for shelter, counseling and other support services.
• Provide referrals for services for children and dependents of the victim.
• Provide information and assistance with applying for criminal injuries compensation with the CT Office of Victim Services (OVS).
• Provide ongoing outreach, information, follow up and support services throughout the continuing court process.
• Provide information regarding prosecution, sanctions, offenders programs, and probation.
• The FVVA also performs other reasonable, related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

Advocacy Services on Behalf of Victims

· Complete Individual Case Reports at time of arraignment and submit copy to CSSD.

· Enter all contact with clients and services provided into our Effort to Outcomes (ETO) database.

· Provide updated information on cases to the court before the continuance date.

· Through initial and on-going discussions with the CSSD supervisor and counselors develop and maintain a referral system that includes procedures for victim contact and for the handling of referrals involving dual arrests.

· Initiate collaborative relationships with appropriate court-related personnel including, but not limited to, judges, prosecutors, probation officers, bail commissioners and family violence educations program.

· Maintain client confidentiality subject to the FVVA’s agency’s confidentiality policies and the provisions of CGS 52-146k privileged communications between Domestic Violence Counselor and victims of domestic violence.

· Obtain and document the victim’s permission to release information to the court.

· Assist appropriate court personnel in recognizing the needs and choices identified by victims.

· Develop and maintain a system for referrals to CCADV domestic violence programs.

· Develop and maintain a system for referrals to services in the community.

· Provide advocacy on behalf of victims when appropriate with the community.

Documentation

· Distribute and collect client surveys for each client receiving in person services, if feasible, also complete a client survey for each client receiving phone services

• Submit quarterly reports to the FVVA Supervisor for submission to CCADV by the 5th day of the following quarter being reported on approved CCADV format.

· Enter all contact with clients and services provided by the FVVA into our Effort to Outcomes (ETO) database daily.

• Complete monthly summaries of all speaking and training sessions, contact with media, and participation in resources fairs and submit to the Interval House Community Relations Director.
• Submit timesheets per period by deadline.
• Maintain records of statistics for three years.

Other requirements:

· Apply knowledge about the services and programs of Interval House to accomplish the duties of the position.

· Maintain a positive attitude and contribute to the morale of the agency.

· Follow all agency practices, policies and procedures as written in the IH Employee, Policy and Personnel Handbooks and other directives as issued by the Executive Director

· Participate in any CCADV communications systems (i.e. teleconference calls, journals, program evaluations, etc.) as deemed necessary by CCADV, to ensure program effectiveness.

· Cooperate and assist in the facilitation of any research and/or evaluation project(s).

· Mandatory Attendance

• Staff meetings
• Meet monthly or as requested with supervisor.
• Other internal or external meetings as requested by supervisor.
• Must attend a minimum of (2) FVVA and (2) skill training and any other mandatory meetings called by CCADV during the fiscal year.

· Perform other related duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Professional Development

· Attending training sessions, workshops, and conferences as requested or approved by supervisor.

· Maintain their certification by receiving not less than six hours of in-service training in issues related to working with battered women and other victims of domestic violence and/or advocate job skills.

Maintenance

• Maintain own office clean—vacuum, dust, and empty trash.
• Participate in routine maintenance tasks as needed or directed.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience

The required education level must be a bachelor’s level. Substitution of appropriate college training, years of experience, and intern/volunteer service are allowed. Any educational substitutes must be approved by the Contractor of judicial.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and empowering battered women and other victims of domestic violence.
• Must be able to prioritize assigned tasks and maintain flexible schedule.
• Must be mature, responsible, and able to work autonomously.
• Must be able to work effectively with both traditional and non-traditional systems.
• Must be able to work as a member of a team and collaboratively.
• Must be sensitive to victims of domestic violence.
• Must have comprehensive working knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence as well as the impact of trauma, and cultural.
• Must have comprehensive working knowledge of Safety Planning/Victim Defined Advocacy as it relates to domestic violence victims and the development of a plan for their safety and the preservation of their rights to self-determination.
• Must have comprehensive working knowledge of the court system, both civil and criminal, as it relates to domestic violence issues and laws affecting victims, and the ability to effectively apply this knowledge to individual cases.
• Must have the ability to work effectively in collaboration with court personnel.
• Must have effective oral and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to gather information from and assist a diversity of victims.
• Must have the ability to intergrade and manage large amounts of information and communicate this information appropriately and effectively.
• Must have the ability to maintain service records, complete records, accurately and submit in a timely fashion in accordance with CCADV Program Standards.
• Must have knowledge of community and state resources.
• Must have a reliable vehicle and be willing to drive independently and frequently.

Certifications and Licenses

• Must be certified as a Domestic Violence Counselor under CGS 52-146K, which requires successful completion of the agency’s training program.
• Must have a current Connecticut driver’s license.

Details

• Full time, non-exempt
• On site, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
• Reports to the Director of Advocacy Programs
• Competitive benefits
• Salary range: $45,000-$47,000 (commensurate with experience/qualifications)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,355.40 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Language:

• Bilingual (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Hartford, CT 06106 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Hartford, CT 06106: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person