Housing Specialist Advocate

Mission and Vision Statement:

Project SAGE creates social change to end interpersonal relationship violence by challenging attitudes and beliefs about power, control and gender norms, and by advocating for victims and survivors.

We envision a world in which everyone can be themselves, have healthy relationships, and live free of interpersonal, relationship violence.

Status: Non-Exempt

Supervisor: Director of Client Services

Job Summary:

The primary role of the Housing Specialist Advocate is to provide support, advocacy, safety planning, and educational services to adult and children victims of domestic violence who come to Project SAGE for community-based or emergency shelter services. This position is the primary Project SAGE liaison for all local and state-wide housing resources, including local CAN and statewide RRH groups. This position is to be carried out while empowering victims with respect to their safety and their right to self-determination.

This 37.5 hour per week, non-exempt position supports the mission and general business operations of Project SAGE. Office hours are 8:30 – 4:30 Monday through Friday. However, due to client and landlord needs, this position will be expected to flex their schedule to accommodate home visits and inspections. This position is fully in-person, both in-office and on home visits with rehoused clients. Hours worked in excess of 37.5 weekly hours must be recommended by the Director of Client Services and approved by the Executive Director.

The Housing Specialist Advocate reports directly to the Director of Client Services. This is a non-supervisory position but may involve overseeing interns or volunteers as assigned.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

A. Direct Service to Clients. Provides client-centered, trauma-informed support and advocacy for Project SAGE clients, including strength-based and resiliency applications.

• Responds to the 24-hour hotline and to walk-ins from the community in order to provide crisis intervention, intake, and assessment.

• Provides individual supportive counseling, risk assessment and safety planning, information / referrals and case management to individuals and families affected by domestic violence.

• Provides emergency shelter services and referral to long-term shelter or housing programs for individuals and families. Ensures clients’ basic needs are met.

• Advocates with, and refers to, outside systems (legal, medical, substance or mental health, educational, social service, housing) regarding clients’ needs, both adults and children.

• Provides application information and referral assistance for OVS victim compensation, SAVIN, Safe at Home (address confidentiality), other victim assistance programs, as well as local community resources.

• Provides client transportation as needed to support access to agency and community resources.

B. Housing Advocacy and Case Management. Assists survivors in attaining housing rapidly and maintaining safe and stable housing long-term and works with survivors to increase income, ensure health insurance coverage, and help those who are able to work to secure employment.

• Completes coordinated intakes, assessments, and screenings to determine housing eligibility based on HUD and CT State Department of Housing (DOH) guidelines.

• Completes survivor-centered, strengths-based housing plans that identify barriers to housing and set a path to housing stability; reviewed and updated monthly.

• Supports clients in designing and implementing safety plans and housing risk assessments.

• Assists clients with locating available housing units and outreach to landlords, navigating the leasing process, landlord mediation, and clarifying tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities.

• Submits initial rental packets and subsequent monthly requests for rental payments for all clients enrolled in the RRH program.

• Completes monthly home visits (minimum), safety permitting, with each survivor enrolled in the RRH program. These visits may require flexing hours outside of the usual office schedule to accommodate clients’ needs, and involve driving to multiple locations.

• Provides case management services focused on increasing income, accessing long-term housing subsidies, establishing and/or expanding family and community-based supports, and increasing access to mainstream services.

• Develops a relationship with the homeless service system.

• Assists in program development and quality assurance activities as directed by the CCADV Director of Housing Advocacy.

C. Administrative Duties. Supports the agency’s mission and programs with timely and accurate administration.

• Serves as the agency’s primary shelter and housing coordinator: attends local CAN meeting; participates in the yearly Point in Time count; attends monthly RRH technical assistance sessions; participates in RRH case conference team meetings; attends CCADV trainings and workshops related to housing.

• Maintains accurate and up-to-date paper files and records to include required documentation and confidential case management notes.

• Distributes and collects a client survey for each client, not in immediate crisis, who has received in-person services.

• As feasible, completes a client survey for each client receiving services by telephone.

• Maintains state-wide program-specific statistical data base on clients and the services provided to them, documented within 48 hours of client interaction.

• Submits quarterly statistical and narrative documentation to Director of Client Services for submission to CCADV by agency deadlines.

• Participates in a minimum of two (2) Advocate meetings and two (2) designated trainings as called by CCADV during the fiscal year.

• Obtains and maintains certification as a domestic violence counselor per CGS 52-146K, including not less than 20 initial hours of training and 6 hours of yearly in-service training on issues related to working with survivors of domestic violence and/or advocate job enhancement skills.

• Maintains client confidentiality compliant with Project SAGE confidentiality and mandated reporting policies and the provisions of CGS 52-146k privileged communication between domestic violence counselors and victims.

• Submits timesheets and personnel activity reports (PAR’s) monthly to CCADV.

• Runs statistical data base RRH HIS report quarterly and sends to CCADV.

• Complies with other responsibilities as needed to meet CCADV Advocate Sub-contract requirements.

General Requirements:

• Provides rotating backup coverage to the hotline to meet program needs.

• Collaborates with other Project SAGE direct service staff as necessary to meet client and agency needs. Actively engages in collective agency relationships.

• Contributes to the development of volunteers through participation in the volunteer certification trainings and through direct supervision of volunteers as assigned.

• Participates in the Project SAGE outreach efforts to increase awareness of domestic violence.

• Attends and participates in Project SAGE staff meetings and trainings.

• Answers all electronic communication in a timely manner.

• Actively fosters and engages in collaborative community partnerships as well as educational programs to raise awareness about the dynamics of domestic violence.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Client Services.

Key Qualifications:

• Comprehensive working knowledge of safety planning, survivor-centered advocacy as it relates to domestic violence, the dynamics of domestic violence and its effects on children/ adults/ families, offender accountability, and child development.

• Commitment to, and experience with, providing culturally competent, accessible, trauma-informed services to a diverse range of clients. Successful candidates will be flexible, adaptable, responsible and creative.

• Ability to work collaboratively across systems (including housing, health, employment, substance recovery, and government benefits) and community resources to advance support and advocacy to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.

• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and outside providers, to develop creative solutions for difficult challenges.

• Ability to maintain service records, complete statistical and narrative records accurately, and submit them in a timely fashion.

• Must have a car, a valid driver’s license and current certificate of insurance; all staff expected to drive clients as needed using both personal and/or agency vehicle as available.

• Effective oral and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with individuals in distress.

• Able to work outside of normal office hours as needed, including weekends.

• Fluency in the English language is required. Spanish speaking ability is an added asset, but is not required.

Key Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in human services, child development, psychology, or other relevant areas of practice.

• Basic crisis intervention, counseling, case management and group facilitation skills.

• Proficiency in working with computers and using software like Microsoft 365 and Google Suite

Compensation:

The hourly range for this position is $26-$30. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined commensurate with experience, competencies, and skillset. Project SAGE has a comprehensive benefits package, including a 4% retirement match, expansive health insurance, flexible spending account, life insurance, 12 paid holidays and four weeks of vacation annually. To view the living wage in Litchfield County, visit the MIT Living Wage Calculator.

The position is locally based. All work will be on site. Project SAGE is currently undergoing initial exploratory work around remote work possibilities.

How to Apply:

Please send your resume and a short cover letter or video explaining why this position appeals to you at this point in your life and career to careers@project-sage.org with ‘RRH application’ in the subject. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will begin to be reviewed immediately.

About Project SAGE (formerly Women’s Support Services)

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three women and one in four men in the United States have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. With a powerful mission to create social change that ends interpersonal relationship violence, Project SAGE challenges attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms and advocates for victims and survivors. Serving six towns in the Northwest Connecticut community, the agency supports survivors, raises awareness through education and training, and challenges community businesses, providers, schools, and others to do better by victims and survivors in all they do.

For over 40 years, Project SAGE has worked towards their vision of a world in which everyone can be themselves and have healthy relationships. Last year, Project SAGE provided:

• Emergency shelter for 28 clients, collectively over 1400 nights of shelter

• Direct Services to approximately 800 adult and youth clients

• Support and advocacy for 558 victims of family violence in Criminal and Civil Court

• Responses to 1,884 hotline crisis requests

• Prevention education workshops that meet CT education standards in all grade 6-12 classrooms in Region 1 schools

• 46 workshops/trainings for adults, with attendance of over 400 people

• 317 prevention workshops for children and teens in local schools and daycare programs

Project SAGE is located in Lakeville, CT. Part of Litchfield County, Lakeville is one of the best places to live in Connecticut. It's known for its peaceful atmosphere, scenic beauty, beautiful vistas, pristine lakes and historic charm. It’s convenient to the Appalachian Trail, mountains for hiking and skiing, lakes for fishing and canoeing, and numerous art and music venues.

In February 2022, Project SAGE moved to a spacious, bright, new, accessible space with increased capacity for client services and staff needs. We are now embarking on the second phase of the building renovation, which will provide more room for expanding staff and offer warm, welcoming spaces in which to meet the diverse and often urgent needs of clients, foster the healthy development of youth, and provide a dynamic space for training, engagement, and community collaborations.

With a current annual budget of $1.5 million, Project SAGE has recently experienced significant growth and has a strong foundation—both in terms of reputation and revenue generation—on which to continue to increase our impact. With a committed Board of 17 members and staff of 12, last year, the agency raised 36% of its revenue from individual and institutional donors, 35% from state and federal funding, and 29% from their nationally acclaimed annual event, Trade Secrets, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025.

Project SAGE is one of the 18 members of CCADV, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Statement of Principles

Project SAGE is committed to the development of each person’s full potential and the dignity and worth of each individual’s talents and contributions. Relations among staff, between staff and Board, and with volunteers will be guided by cooperation and mutual respect.

Project SAGE strives to maintain a supportive and collaborative environment where each person can bring their best to the work and mission of Project SAGE. Project SAGE values honest, direct, and respectful communication among staff, volunteers, and Board members.

Project SAGE believes honoring diversity and striving for inclusiveness are values of strength that contribute positively to the work and mission of Project SAGE.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.00 - $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $26 - $30