Position: DV Coordinator

Classification: Non-Exempt / Full Time

Supervised by: Team Leader

Supervises: Domestic Violence Interns

Home Start’s vision is for every child to have a safe, stable, and nurturing home. Guided by our mission to assure the safety and resiliency of children by strengthening families and their communities, Home Start, Inc., a non-profit child abuse prevention, and treatment agency has strengthened and developed San Diego’s families and communities since 1972.

Home Start, Inc. operates programs designed to prevent homelessness, interrupt the cycle of homelessness, and promote self-sufficiency. With rising rates of homelessness in San Diego exacerbated by the pandemic, our programs are designed to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Job Summary: The DV Coordinator provides services and housing stability for survivors of domestic violence. The DV Coordinator works collaboratively to help clients navigate the legal system and access support services. The DV Coordinator and DV Housing Specialist are integral in connecting clients to housing resources, other community partners and securing safe housing. After a client is enrolled and assessed, staff determine and provide the needed level of financial assistance to obtain safe housing or address any other urgent needs. This position also provides referrals, conducts safety plans, and assists with other service connections. This position is part of an interdisciplinary team providing innovative services using best practices including trauma-informed care, harm reduction, housing first, motivational interviewing, and client-centered strength-based case management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provides supportive services for survivors of domestic violence that are self-referred or referred by partner agencies.

· Completes thorough assessments of all participants to determine barriers, resource needs, and other factors related to case management.

· Provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling, risk assessment, and safety planning.

· Assists with legal system navigation by accompanying survivors to court dates, obtaining emergency protection orders, temporary restraining orders, securing victim compensation with assistance filling out the CALVCB application, helping survivors access a wide range of community resources with a warm hand off, often times needing a direct referral and linkage to safe and stable housing whether that be immediate or long term.

· Works to effectively meet clients’ needs and address barriers through follow-up, advocacy, and collaboration with partner agencies and other community service providers.

· Assist clients in developing a housing stability plan, identifying housing options, and providing financial assistance for secure safe housing or other immediate needs.

· Negotiates lease terms, utility deposits, security deposits, and move-in fees with landlords or property managers.

· Assists with the move-in process, helps participants obtain household items, and provides other support to help clients maintain their independent living.

· Maintains confidential client services data, generates reports, updates case notes, collects backup documentation for financial assistance, logs services, and submits required reports to funders.

· Actively participates in the DV council meetings, Safe Shelter Collaborative meetings, and multiple other trainings sponsored by partners to maximize knowledge of and access to a range of victim services.

· Participates in individual supervision, team meetings, agency meetings, and training.

· Utilizes various best practices for service delivery such as Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, crisis intervention, and client-centered strengths-based case management.

· Required to be onsite at Your Safe Place: A San Diego Family Justice Center three days a week in order to meet with Client Care Coordinators to debrief on mutual clients and assess any immediate needs with walk in survivors.

· Supervises two interns per semester (fall and spring), holding supervisions with each intern, turning in time cards, mileage and helping them manage a case load, along with any other requirements their University might require for a successful internship.

· Maintains community partnerships with Palomar Health, La Maestra and Shelters in San Diego County to be able to complete successful referrals and case management for survivors who require wraparound services.

· Preform Weekly case management when you have a survivor staying at Home Start’s Bridge Housing Location in order to be on track for a successful exit to another program or independent living.

· Maintains relationships with other programs within Home Start in order to receive internal referrals to make sure survivors have access to all needs and information.

· Maintains an active Clarity license in order to assess survivors and complete assessments to connect them with housing programs in San Diego County.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

· A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in social work, psychology, education and/or related human services field required

· Extensive knowledge or experience working with victims of crime.

· Knowledge of family systems, community resources, substance abuse treatment and interventions required

· Must submit to a background check via Live Scan (with ongoing alerts), as required by specific programs, funding requirements and licensing regulations.

· Must have a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

· Must demonstrate ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity.

· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with exceptional problem-solving skills

Physical Demands:

· Reading and typing on a computer frequently.

· Sitting for long periods of time at required meetings or in supervision.

· Daily traveling in car to meet with clients and attend agency and community meetings.

Work Environment:

· Office space may be shared with frequent telephone and visitor contacts.

· The noise level fluctuates from quiet to noisy.

· Frequent travel to meet with clients and landlords.

Home Start, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the hiring of personnel because of gender, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or gender expression, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.