Job Information
Independence House, Inc DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER ADVOCATE in Hyannis, Massachusetts
The Shelter Advocate is responsible for providing support and advocacy to victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children in the emergency shelter. The Shelter Advocate works closely with shelter children advocates to offer and provide services for parents and children at the shelter, including intakes, assessments, advocacy, case management, safety planning, educational and recreational activities, crisis counseling, and ongoing emotional support. The Advocate also collaborates with the Children Exposed to Domestic Violence staff, the IH Clinical Director & Shelter Director and to provide comprehensive services to families at the shelter. The Advocate represents IH through participation in community and statewide meetings, collaborations, and coalitions; documents as appropriate, prepares rooms/units for new survivors, assures safety and attend supervision and team meetings. The Shelter Advocate is an awake position. Work shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays to ensure adequate coverage of the shelter program. Full-time Shelter advocates are scheduled to work designated shifts Monday through Friday. Regular Part-time, Variable part-time/Relief Shelter Advocates provide weekend and overnight coverage in addition to weekday and holiday coverage as needed. RESPONSIBILITIES / SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES: Provide Comprehensive Advocacy, Case Management and Support Services to Adults Who Have Been Impacted By Domestic & Sexual Violence, Including: Trauma informed crisis intervention, intakes, advocacy and safety planning, emotional support, to adults/youth in the shelter, including assessment and development of safety plans, parenting support, information, education & referral and individual action plans Make referrals and advocate for connections to community resources such as educational, housing, medical care, childcare, etc. Coordinate and facilitate weekly Support Group/Youth Group and various programming in partnership with survivors Maintain up-to-date information on survivors, intakes, and exits Coordinate with shelter team to provide childcare to parents as needed Coordinate with the Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Program Children\'s Advocate to provide ongoing parental support Address issues of child abuse and neglect in accordance with MA law, follow and work alongside appropriate agencies In partnership with survivor, develop and facilitate group activities Provide Support to Adult & Parent Survivors: Offer weekly case management meetings with shelter survivors to focus on individual needs and link families to appropriate resources Promote parent-child relationship building, and offer parenting education and emotional support to parents including creative, non-violent approaches to discipline, child development, children\'s behavioral and mental health, transitions into and out of shelter, impact of violence on children, etc. Provide and coordinate language and cultural support as needed Work closely with Child Advocates to provide coordinated family case management services Provide support to single adult survivors as needed Assists with the daily living needs of shelter survivors Completes intakes (both direct service and paperwork) within 7 hours of survivor entering shelter Provides shelter orientations to survivors within 24 hours of client\'s entry into shelter Completes an exit survey with survivors leaving shelter as well as required exit paperwork QUALIFICATION: Bachelor\'s Degree Preferred Experience and ability to work with individuals of all ages, races, culture, gender, sexual orientation and abilities and their parents 3+ years of experience with case management and/or working with survivors of violence For Full Job Description, visit the Independence House Website.