SAFEPLAN Advocate_Belchertown

Department: Community Support Programs

Reports to: Senior SAFEPLAN Advocate

Schedule: Full time, 37.5 hours/week; Monday—Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm, with flexibility to meet program needs

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Location: Belchertown

Pay Rate: $21.50 hour

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering survivors. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.

Expectations of all employees

In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and others.
• Reflect on and interrupt assumptions, personal and systemic biases, and sources of power when interacting or communicating with colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity.
• Perform quality work within program guidelines and deadlines.
• Work effectively as a team contributor and foster a positive working environment.
• Work independently while understanding the need for communication and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality.

Position Purpose

The SAFEPLAN Advocate provides safety planning, information about the court process and options, assistance in the drafting of legal documentation, and daily court advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking, as well as their children. They provide referrals to the YWCA, other domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking programs, criminal justice victim services, community social service programs, and the District Attorney’s office as necessary to meet the needs of survivors.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide daily court advocacy and safety planning to survivors of domestic violence and their children that reside in Springfield, for SAFEPLAN.
• Assists with 209A or 258E application paperwork.
• Provide information regarding legal options and associated paperwork, including but not limited to, applications for restraining and harassment orders.
• Engage in community advocacy work to seek survivors in need of services.
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Conduct intakes, safety planning and risk assessment using specific safety planning and assessment tools.
• Provide support, and follow up with referrals made to the YWCA, other programs, criminal justice victim services, community social service programs and the district attorney’s office as necessary to meet the needs of victims.
• Communicate regular updates and status of high-risk victims to supervisor.
• Make necessary referrals to the YWCA, District Attorney’s office, Victim Services and other community-based support services.
• Collaborate with victim witness advocates, agency staff, and other service programs in an effort to provide a continuum of care to victims.
• Work with MOVA and court/criminal justice personnel to improve services to victims.
• Ensure ongoing program documentation and evaluation, as well as required SAFEPLAN documentation in accordance with contract obligations and/or best practices.
• Maintain all digital files in AWARDS (i.e., data system) and program records, in accordance with ethical and confidentiality standards.
• Submit monthly data to supervisor within deadline.
• Attend all SAFEPLAN scheduled conference calls/meetings.
• Attend staff and supervision meetings as required.
• Conduct weekly data reporting
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Qualifications

• AA or equivalent education, required; B.A. preferred;
• Bilingual Spanish and English required
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a related human service field or criminal justice. preferred
• Experience working with Domestic and Sexual Violence survivors. preferred
• Minimum 1 years’ experience with victims of domestic violence; preferred
• Familiarity with and ability to navigate legal/court systems, processes, and issues pertaining to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and/or harassment; preferred
• Functional knowledge of relevant laws and regulations; preferred
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner. required
• Knowledge of outreach service delivery and community resources; preferred
• Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
• Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias; preferred
• Experience with networking, collaborating with agencies and other community resources; preferred
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills, including strong computer skills; required
• Reliable transportation and/or reliable car and valid driver’s license
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs., as needed

EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This position is covered by the CBA and is subject to union dues.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, and to protect our agency, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA.

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD

All employment at the YWCA begins with a 150-day Introductory Period.