POSITION TITLE: Advocate– Children’s Specialist

REPORTS TO: Program Director

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Services:

• Maintains confidentiality of residents and housing locations.
• Conducts intake assessments of women and children, assists in developing goal plans.
• Provides case management and advocacy services including supportive listening, crisis intervention, information and referral to community resources, assistance with filing of state victim compensation claims, provides information about safety planning and follow-up services.
• Meets regularly with residents to establish relationship in which resident can express feelings and attitudes, assists residents in clarifying situations and exploring available options.
• Gives information on educational, financial, legal, medical, housing and self-help resources of interest to the residents.
• Assists families in relocating from shelter to Lydia’s House and departing from Lydia’s House to new housing.
• Completes initial cleaning of apartments after resident departs. Removes any personal belongings left in the apartment.
• Assists women with transportation to appointments, court appearances, etc. when necessary.
• Provides occasional childcare as needed to facilitate women’s meetings with their advocate, support groups, or meeting with other service providers.
• Maintains typed case records and documents residents’ progress toward attaining goals.
• Compiles necessary statistical reports for Children’s Program and Program Director.
• Communicates with other agencies regarding services to meet the residents’ needs.
• Facilitates weekly peer support group meetings.
• Facilitates skills classes.
• Assists with preparation & cleanup for social activities, community meals and social outings.
• Participates in scheduled staff meetings and case review meetings.
• Carries emergency pager and responds to calls after office hours in rotation with other program staff.
• Works with residents to ensure apartments are being maintained.
• Conducts a minimum of two times per month apartment checks and more often as needed.
• Inputs information into the Data Collection system.
• Attends Community meetings as assigned.
• Provides follow up services to all families in caseload.
• Speaking engagements as assigned.
• Supervises direct service volunteers as needed

Children’s Specialist:

• Communicates with other agencies regarding services to meet the children’s needs.
• Compiles and updates information on children’s resources in the community.
• Provides occasional childcare as needed to facilitate women’s meeting with their advocate, support groups, or meetings with other service providers.
• Plans and supervises the children’s after-school program, spring break activities and children’s summer program.
• Maintains the children’s library, computer and learning labs.
• Maintains equipment used for children such as high chairs, car seats, and infant seats. Checks for safety concerns and replaces as needed.
• Coordinates children’s birthday activities.
• Distributes children’s school supplies and uniforms.
• Recruits, trains and supervises the work of volunteers who help with the children’s program.
• Provides computer support and updates data collection services for the program.
• Completes monthly statistics and provides reports to Program Director.

Facilities Management:

• Reports all needed repairs and maintenance concerns to the Support and Volunteer Services Coordinator.

Other Duties:

• In consultation with staff and other domestic violence service providers, recommends and/or provides input on new services based on the needs of abused women and their children.
• Documents Lydia’s House service provision and prepares necessary statistical and program reports to the Program Director. CAP 60.
• Supports Development activities and special events as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Professional Activities:

• Attends MCADSV conferences and other appropriate trainings & workshops to continue education and further professional relationships.
• Represents Lydia’s House in attending local meetings and committee involvements.
• Maintains collegial relationships with other professionals in the community.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Bachelor degree in Human Services, Social Work or related field and/or equivalent experience. Minimum of three years professional experience working with children required. Must be trained support group facilitator and have specific knowledge of woman battering and violence against women and children. Knowledge of the community’s resources and response to violence against women is essential.

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED:

Awareness of racism and interest in working with persons of various racial/ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Sensitivity to domestic violence issues and awareness of power and oppression dynamics that fall along gender, race, poverty lines. Good written and oral communication skills. Ability to gain confidence of and establish good relationships with program participants, staff and volunteers. Ability to work with a variety of clients, often under stressful situations. Ability to respond well during a crisis. Flexibility. Ability to prioritize tasks. Ability to work with other agencies to coordinate services for residents. Proficiency with computer office applications and electronic communications. Ability to speak in public. Must have a car and driver’s license. Must be willing to work some evenings and occasional weekend hours.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Residents
• Staff
• Social Service Agencies
• Volunteers

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Reports to and is supervised by the Program Director with accountability to the CEO.

Job Type: Part-time

Ability to Relocate:

• St. Louis, MO: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person