What are the responsibilities and job description for the Victim Advocate Case Manager position at Family Services, Inc.?
Summary:
Provides compassionate and trauma-informed services that strengthen the wellbeing and safety of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child maltreatment. Directs information, advocacy, and supportive services to equip individuals and families to make informed decisions. Provides strengths-based, survivor-driven case management and service coordination to assist survivors in addressing barriers to obtaining and maintaining stable housing.
Distinguishing Characteristics: This position provides Shelter and/or Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Case Management. Case Managers may manage a caseload that includes both Shelter and RRH clients.
Major responsibilities:
Case Management
- Case management services will be client-centered and include but are not limited to: facilitating intakes, needs assessments, service plans, and providing monitoring and evaluation for client stabilization and transition; ongoing safety planning; referrals; and advocacy.
- Engages in housing diversion by supporting clients in accessing their support networks, relocation opportunities, and referrals.
- Assists clients in accessing emergency assistance, such as: food, clothing, hygiene products, childcare essentials, medical and therapy services, and transportation, etc.
- Advocates for client access to local, State, and Federal victim services, as needed, such as: court accompaniment, support groups, and NC Victim’s Compensation Fund.
- Serves as a liaison between clients and Shelter Staff.
Rapid Rehousing (RRH)
- May maintain a RRH caseload with progressive engagement application.
- Conducts assessments of housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness; orients clients to the RRH Program; and facilitates client-driven housing case management plans to include: housing search, financial, and self-sufficiency plan with clients to retain housing post program.
- Provides ongoing monitoring and evaluation with a progressive engagement lens, that includes: monthly client meetings, ongoing visual inspections of housing rentals, community referrals, and life skills coaching.
- Applies knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients about their rights and responsibilities and provides advocacy and intervention, as needed.
- Creates and maintains consistent communication channels, both verbally and in writing between several parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, collaborating agencies, and debtors).
- Serves as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants.
- Collects and reports required funding and program data. Submitting monthly check requests for ongoing housing payment assistance
General Duties
- Documenting services and client interactions within the agency’s database and maintaining detailed case files and forms necessary for programming and accountability.
- Developing and enhancing community partner referral opportunities to meet grant funded service opportunities, such as: victim services, financial and employment supports, substance abuse and mental health care, childcare, and other supportive services.
- Maintains knowledge and participation, as appropriate, for advocacy efforts within systems, such as: civil and criminal court, Continuum of Care, RRH, Triad Rapid Response Team, and member coalitions.
- Uses evidence-based practices, intensive comprehensive care models, and strengths-based approaches in service delivery.
- Model trauma-informed practices in the office with clients, staff, and partners.
- Assists with coverage for the agency’s crisis lines as needed.
- Assures quality services by being knowledgeable of and enforcing rules, regulations and legal requirements.
- Performs other duties incumbent upon the position and as assigned.
Position qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in social work or related human service field and one year of case management experience working with at-risk populations OR Associates degree and three years of case management experience working with at-risk populations.
- Knowledge of dynamics of families in crisis, ability to de-escalate situations of conflict, and acceptance of regional psychosocial, cultural, religious and economic differences.
- Knowledge of victimization issues and the legal system.
- Broad knowledge of community resources and experience working with community organizations.
- Maintains dignity and self-control in stressful situations and objectivity about personal strengths and limitations.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
- Maintains physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: walking, bending, stretching, lifting, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, operating assigned equipment.
- Ability to work flexible/overtime hours, as needed.
- Requires valid NC driver’s license and ability to travel between various agency sites and community resources.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Family Services, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap or disability.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. Family Services, Inc. shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.
Job Responsibilities
The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential responsibilities of the job and should not be considered a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. Family Services, Inc. reserves the right to revise the job duties and responsibilities at any time with or without notice, based on the needs of the organization.
