Advocacy Interventionist- DFPS

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES

JOB DESCRIPTION

ADVOCACY  INTERVENTIONIST- DFPS

STATUS: Full Time/Non-Exempt

HOURS: Monday-Friday varies (on call coverage varies)

SUPERVISOR: Director of Advocacy Services

POSITION SUMMARY: In this role, you will play a vital part in providing comprehensive support and advocacy services to survivors of sexual assault, trafficking, family violence, dating violence, and intimate partner violence that are also involved with DFPS (CPS).

As a survivor advocate, you will be responsible for delivering crisis intervention services, including accompanying survivors during sexual assault nurse exams at the hospital and children's advocacy center. You will offer emotional support, safety planning, and connection to resources tailored to the unique needs of each survivor. You will provide advocacy and support and coordination of services for survivors involved with DFPS. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of trauma-informed care principles and a commitment to empowering survivors in their journey towards healing and recovery

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Providing trauma-informed care and emotional support to survivors throughout the crisis intervention process.
2. Responsible for implementing all programmatic and agency protocols as directed.
3. Responsible for DFPS involved survivors within the Advocacy Department and Safe House.  
4. Conducting safety assessments and developing individualized safety plans to help survivors navigate their immediate and long-term safety needs.
5. Responsible for ensuring clients successfully navigate the social systems in order to get the services they are requesting and helping remove any barriers. 
6. Assisting survivors in understanding their rights as victims and guiding them through the legal and judicial processes.
7. Facilitating support groups to foster a sense of community and healing among survivors.
8. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including law enforcement, medical professionals, and social service agencies, to coordinate comprehensive services for survivors.
9. Providing case management services to ensure survivors have access to essential resources and referrals for ongoing support.
10. Uphold all laws, policies, and procedures of Family Support Services, the State of Texas, City, County, and Federal regulations.  
11. Attend all meetings required.
12. Maintains confidentiality of clients according to federal, state and agency guidelines, and confidentiality of Safe House site.
13. Appropriately maintains accurate information in the database  and is entered in a timely manner. 
14. Other related duties as required. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

1. Effectively provides or ensures that active assistance is provided to clients. 
2. Demonstrates effective listening skills. 
3. Effectively engage clients in obtaining self-sufficiency. 
4. Knowledge of dynamics of domestic violence, family violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. 
5. Knowledge of impact of trauma on families and children.
6. Ability to work well independently with minimum supervision. 
7. Knowledge of group facilitation and dynamics. 

Crisis Intervention Techniques

1. Effectively demonstrates de-escalation of agitated clients. 
2. Assesses potential crisis situations and takes appropriate action. 
3. Reacts timely and logically in crisis. 
4. Responds appropriately to callers on the crisis line.              

Case Management

1. Demonstrates knowledge of community resources.
2. Demonstrates competency in forming relationships and coordinating with other agencies, with a focus on DFPS programs.
3. Demonstrates respect and caring to clients. 
4. Formulates appropriate referrals. 

Documentation

1. Completes all documentation thoroughly, accurately, and in a timely manner. 
2. Develops, implements, updates, and monitors progress on goals and objectives on individual case plans in a timely manner. 

OTHER SKILLS:

1. Excellent written and oral communication skills
2. Highly organized and able to multitask.
3. Excellent critical thinking.
4. Capable of working well under pressure and/or deadlines.
5. Work effectively as a team member.
6. Effective time management skills. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. This role requires a high level of empathy, resilience, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and boundaries. Experience in crisis intervention, victim advocacy, or social services is preferred.A minimum of a Bachelor’s  degree in human services field (counseling, social work, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral health science) an equivalent combination of experience and education may substitute for education. 
2. Valid Texas Driver’s License and proof of auto liability insurance.
3. Clean criminal background check.
4. Proficient computer skills using MS Programs. Database knowledge helpful.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit at a desk and perform routine paperwork
• Ability to communicate by telephone
• Ability to travel between assigned work sites by automobile
• Ability to lift 25 pounds