Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis, Inc.
Position Title: | Daytime Shelter Intern Advocate |
Basic Functions: | To provide support, advocacy, safety planning and educational services to adult victims of domestic violence who come to the domestic violence program for sheltered and/or non-sheltered services. This position is to be carried out while empowering victims with respect to their safety and their right to self-determination. |
Reports To: | Advocate positions will be Task supervised by the Director of Programs and ultimately accountable to the Executive Director. |
Schedule | Student and Agency Determined |
Hours per Week: | School Determined |
Areas of Responsibility
This position requires work assignments and responsibilities such as, but not limited to:
Direct Services
· Provide client intake and assessment, including sheltering women and families in accordance with agency protocols
· Assist clients in developing individualized safety plans including: plans for leaving, for staying and for long-range planning
· Assist parents in developing safety plans which include their children
· Provide individual domestic violence counseling and advocacy
· Provide coverage to 24-hour domestic violence hotline
· Serve as a member of the 24-hour hotline back-up rotation
· Provide clients with information and referral to community services and resources
· Advocate with outside systems regarding clients’ needs
· Facilitate support/education groups
· Other services as deemed necessary
· Provide written educational information to adult clients about domestic violence, its effects on victims, as well as its effects on children
· Provide to adult clients a state and local listing of available resources
· Provide information regarding state victim compensation resources
General
· Maintain accurate service records and submit all required statistics in accordance with agency due dates
· Attend and participate in regular meetings called by MWC, CCADV and other meetings as scheduled, 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
· Comprehensive working knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence.
· Commitment to working with domestic violence victims and their children to develop a plan for their safety and preserve their right to self-determination.
· 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
Special Requirements
This position requires periodic travel. A valid driver’s license and current certificate of insurance is required for personnel who may travel in their scope of service to Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis. Criminal, Department of Children and Families and Department of Motor Vehicles background checks are required for all staff to confirm suitability for employment.