What are the responsibilities and job description for the Domestic Violence Advocate position at Community Services for Every1?
This position will work in conjunction with the Family Justice Center (FJC) as part of the HOPE of WNY Collaboration and will implement direct services to survivors of domestic violence who have or are suspected of having I/DD. This includes providing crisis intervention, counseling, and safety planning, advocacy, accompaniment, casework/care coordination, benefits advisement, referral and peer support group facilitation. Provides intensive, sustained advocacy, counseling and casework services for survivors with I/DD who require extended support in leaving abusive homes and in starting their journeys towards (re)discovering, safety, stability and empowerment.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists the Domestic Violence Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator in leading the proposed HOPE of WNY Advocacy team.
- Supports the Domestic Violence Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator in delivering outreach and preventive education services in the community, as well as facilitating peer support groups.
- Supports the FJC staff in assessing survivors with disabilities and linking these survivors to FJC onsite resources.
- Engages with on-site and on call partners at FJC facilities as appropriate, including law enforcement, courts, justice system representatives, attorneys, forensic nurses, health care providers and shelter/housing providers.
- Accompanies survivors to appointments, court proceedings, medical exams, etc. in order to provide needed supports and advocacy. Assists with transportation as needed.
- Provides immediate intervention and assistance to those experiencing a domestic violence crisis.
- Conducts safety planning that takes into consideration the adaptive needs of those with I/DD.
- Administers screening assessments services to identify the strengths, preferences and adaptive support needs of the survivors being supported.
- Provides intensive advocacy and care coordination services to help survivors with I/DD achieve short-term safety and create action plans for long-term stability/empowerment.
- Develops and implements intensive case management plans that advance specific, measurable, survivor-defined goals for safety and empowerment, reflect individuals’ identified strengths, hopes, culture and address assessed adaptive support needs.
- Assist survivors in navigating the criminal justice system by:
- Communicating information on the rights of victims forholding the abuser accountable, including participating in justice events (arrests, proceedings, etc.
- Accompanies survivors during interviews with law enforcement/forensic exams
- Enabling survivors to know their potential roles in proceedings
- Helping survivors offer input on decisions regarding charges and sentencing
- Assisting survivors to participate in hearings/trials
- Helping survivors request orders of protection.
- Refers to other domestic violence and/or victims services as deemed appropriate.
- Assists in obtaining needed documentation to support a disability, as well as eligibility for benefits, entitlements, and/or Medicaid services.
- Refers to Case Management services offered within the agency that can assist individuals in obtaining the necessary documentation to support a disability, as well as eligibility for other services and benefits.
- Assist survivors in using the necessary technology in a safe, confidential manner to attend appearances and appointments virtually when necessary
- Maintains accurate records of contact with survivors and completes all records thoroughly.
- Documents all advocacy activities contemporaneously.