Domestic Violence Support Advocate
( PART-TIME 10AM -4PM )
Position Summary
The Support Advocate at First Steps To Heal will be a dedicated liaison, bridging the gap between community resources with active intervention services and the residents we serve. They will assist residents in our safe dwellings by providing in-person accompaniment, client-centered advocacy, and domestic violence/trauma-informed crisis intervention that meets the individual needs of our residents. Collaborating closely with the program staff and under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Support Advocate is tasked with creating a Resident Departure Plan for each resident in the program.
First Steps To Heal has multiple Safe Dwellings around Westchester County, the staff person in this position will work primarily from one location but will travel to all Safe Dwellings ensuring the same high quality DV-focused advocacy is provided to all residents. The advocate must remain informed about available resources, subsidies, and public benefit programs. First Steps To Heal uses a client-centered/DV-informed approach to supporting our residents.
Responsibilities and Duties
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Provide active intervention and direct liaison services with community resources and services on behalf of our residents
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Provide accompaniment and advocacy with accessing social services, childcare, employment and housing, and submitting public assistance applications
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Assisting residents with understanding and completing OVS Compensation Claims
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Be a sympathetic listener while providing emotional support and crisis intervention and guidance
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Accompany residents to local police departments, community agencies, medical appointments, legal assistance providers, and court
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Inform residents of the legal, financial, and housing options available to them
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Assisting parents with applying for childcare, as well as maintaining a list of childcare providers in Westchester County
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Assisting residents children’s recreational and social activities application
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Coordinate with the residents in seeking available community resources and programs which may assist our residents in obtaining permanent housing prior to their planned departure date
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Major focus on creating individual Resident Departure Plan for each resident
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Provide advocacy along with referring to community programs for services
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Make referrals and linkages for the client to job readiness and educational resources as appropriate
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Answer hotline calls to provide immediate live assistance, crisis intervention, and information and referrals to callers who feel they are victims of domestic violence
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Maintaining a list of community services and programs available to our residents and their minor children, and making that list accessible to all residents
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Assure compliance with Safe Dwelling/Hotel Rules and local ordinances
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Submit daily client notes
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Submit bi-weekly progress reports to the DV Program Manager
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Attend bi-weekly staff meetings - in-person or virtual
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Assist with timely and accurate progress notes, reports, evaluations and other administrative tasks.
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Share in other administrative, community outreach, and direct service tasks
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Demonstrates exceptional engagement skills
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and/or related victim work experience
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Knowledgeable of the rights of victims of domestic violence
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Knowledge of victimization and domestic violence preferred
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Prior counseling or advocacy experience in a residential setting a plus
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Ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
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Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively and on a team
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Must have a warm personality and great at listening to others
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Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written
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Must be knowledgeable on the rights of victims of domestic violence
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Individual resource counseling should be in person but can be conducted via call
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Must be well informed on community resources and have assistive relations with agencies that provide said resources
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Experience with Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Forms
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Will attend networking events in-person and virtual
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Participate in on-going education and training opportunities
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Spanish fluency strongly preferred
Pay Rate
$22.00 per hour
First Steps To Heal, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination due to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin, marital status, parental status, or political affiliation in employment and service delivery.