Child Advocate

Areas of Responsibility 

This position requires work assignments and responsibilities such as, but not limited to: 

Child Advocacy 

• Facilitate support and educational groups for program children 

• Provide individual support to shelter and transitional living program child residents a minimum of weekly 

• Ensure children’s enrollment in school within 3 days of admission into shelter or TLP programs 

• Complete Intake, Exit, and Goal and Evaluation forms for each child 

• Organize and facilitate mother/child activities periods to observe interactions 

• Utilize community resources to plan and facilitate field-trips 

• Co-facilitate weekly Parenting Group 

• Provide referrals and advocacy to appropriate agencies on behalf of the children 

General 

• Maintain accurate service records and submit all required statistics in accordance with agency due dates. 

• Provide coverage to 24-hour hotline and shelter as scheduled 

• Serve as a member of the 24-hour hotline back-up rotation 

• Provide coverage to the Holiday Schedule 

• Attend and participate in regular meetings called by MWC, CCADV and other meetings as necessary, including training programs developed for Advocates 

• Must uphold privileged communication of clients and all responsibilities of mandatory reporting 

• Provide peer coverage to critical tasks such as court-based family violence victim advocacy as needed 

• Maintain vacant shelter rooms for immediate occupancy 

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Programs or Executive Director 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree or eight years (8) years experience in related field.  A combination of an Associate’s Degree plus four (4) years of experience will be considered.  

• Comprehensive working knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence and working with youth. 

• Commitment to working with domestic violence victims and their children to develop a plan for their safety and preserve their right to self-determination. 

• Comprehensive knowledge child development, including the impact of trauma on child witnesses of domestic violence 

• Effective oral and written communication skills 

• Ability to gather, consolidate and present client information through interviews 

• Knowledge of community resources 

• Ability to work effectively with both traditional and non-traditional systems 

• Ability to maintain service records, complete accurate statistical and narrative reports and submit in accordance with due dates 

• Must obtain and maintain certification as battered women’s counselor, as per CGS 52-146k 

Schedule