Journey Center for Safety and Healing (formerly known as Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center) is a non-profit organization that fosters safety and healing for those affected by domestic violence and child abuse; and to prevent abuse through education; advocacy and systemic change. 

The Community Advocate - DVHFI provides case management, safety planning, and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence in achieving goals to increase safety, maintain safe housing, and build self-sufficiency, wellness and healthy relationships. The Community Advocate is responsible for clients classified as fleeing human trafficking and fleeing domestic violence under HUD Bonus funding for Rapid Rehousing for Journey Center clients as well as referrals from the community. The Community Advocate will work collaboratively with EDEN, Frontline, Jewish Family Services, and Catholic Charities. Community Advocate ensures case management services delivered to clients are carried out in accordance with the agency’s mission and best practices.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

1. Assist with closure of Shelter client records in collaboration with shelter leadership
2. Oversee a case load of community clients in accordance with Rapid Rehousing protocol while also providing domestic violence, self-sufficiency, financial and tenancy education
3. Review safety and risk management planning and participation in information sharing during weekly Shelter team meetings
4. Provide case management, crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy to clients
5. Meet with all assigned clients monthly in order to review established goals, current needs, concerns, barriers, and successes
6. Assist clients in obtaining and maintaining entitlements and linkages to community resources including, but not limited to, Social Security Administration, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Division of Children and Family Services, employment, housing, State Victim Assistance Compensation, SNAP, medical coverage, SSI, CHIP, and financial and relocation assistance.
7. Assess the lethality of a client’s situation and provide ongoing safety planning services
8. Advocate for clients to ensure their needs are addressed by public and private service providers
9. Assess needs and goals with clients and ensure they are connected to any additional internal services through Journey that are appropriate; provide warm hand off and case coordination with other Journey services
10. Provide support for clients and listen to clients with a non-judgmental attitude
11. Develop and maintain case records in agency database that document services provided to clients in accordance with agency standards
12. Explain victim rights as set by the state of Ohio, orient victims to criminal justice proceedings, explain protection orders, and accompany to court as necessary; or provide internal referral to JSAP program to provide this service
13. Ensure that services are provided to clients in compliance with Journey trauma informed, empowerment centered model and in compliance with any relevant funding restrictions and accreditation requirements
14. Be available to cover regular shift on a weekly or bi-weekly basis at Shelter to ensure youth and adult clients have access to emergency assistance and supportive services while residing in shelter.
15. Be available to cover Helpline shift on either weekly or bi-weekly basis to answer calls, provide crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, and resource referrals; and, maintain accurate document of calls in Osnium database
16. Participate in staff meetings and other meetings as needed
17. Learn and follow Journey Center policies and gain understanding of agency functions and programs

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Facilitate/co-facilitate support and/or education groups as needed
2. Respect, understand, and promote Journey Center’s mission, vision, values, and goals
3. Complete agency orientation and training to meet job requirements
4. Assume additional duties or special projects as needed or assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s Degree or experience in social work, criminal justice, domestic violence, child abuse, or other related field (lived experience, academic, professional) 
2. Must have and maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license and appropriate insurance coverage; Must maintain appropriate driving record
3. 2 years experience working with domestic violence and/or, child abuse, trauma, case management 
4. Must be available to work flexible non-traditional work hours; Have the ability to tailor work hours to the needs of families

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

1. Knowledge and compassion towards working with adults and children who have experienced domestic violence and/or child abuse
2. Ability to make sensitive and insightful observations of individuals and to determine a course of intervention
3. Ability to address crisis situations which require prompt decision and action
4. Knowledge of safety issues
5. Knowledge of social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence
6. Working knowledge of community resources available for survivors of domestic violence
7. Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituents including victims, law enforcement, court personnel, community partners, and volunteers 
8. Experience or willingness to learn and bring trauma informed practice to all aspects of work including internal, client focused, and external partner focused
9. Knowledge of Word, Excel, client focused databases, and other computer programs
10. Working knowledge of community resources available for adult/child victims of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking 
11. Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
12. Strong interpersonal communication skills including developing collaborative relationships with colleagues and conflict resolution 
13. Competency in working with diverse cultures and language abilities
14. Commitment to child abuse and domestic violence prevention
15. Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, functions, procedures, organization, and policies governing the operations of Journey Center for Safety and Healing
16. Experience in and commitment to building and supporting trauma informed organizations committed to equity, inclusion, and advocacy
17. Maintain a positive attitude
18. Ability to incorporate Journey Center’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion value by modeling our work through a lens of equity and anti-racism. 
19. Ability to incorporate Journey Center’s Values into assigned duties
    1. Empowerment- partner with people as they foster their strength and confidence and express their worth
    2. Resiliency- Recognize and affirm the ability to overcome traumatic situations with persistence and determination
    3. Safety- Experience the world without feat and to enjoy relationships based on respect and trust
    4. Inclusion- Seek, value and learn from the unique perspectives of diverse individuals and to advocate for equal access to opportunities and resources
    5. Integrity- Honest in our relationships, true to our mission in words and actions, and accountable for saying what we will do and doing what we say
    6. Connectedness- Collaborate at levels to cultivate respectful, meaningful and supportive relationships that foster growth and well-being

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

1. Ability to perform job responsibilities in a facility with multiple levels and without elevators
2. Must be able to provide services at various locations and provide client transportation using agency vehicles or other mode as per Journey transportation policy
3. Communicate with others in person, electronically, or by phone on a consistent basis
4. Regular and predictable attendance

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Journey Center for Safety and Healing. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder’s responsibility.