Real Strength and Child Advocate

Areas of Responsibility

This position requires work assignments and responsibilities such as, but not limited to:

Real Strength and Child Advocacy

• Facilitate support and educational groups for program children and youth.

• Provide individual support to shelter and transitional living program youth residents a minimum of weekly.

• Ensure children’s enrollment in school within 3 days of admission into shelter or TLP programs.

• Complete Intake, Exit, Goal, and Evaluation forms for each child.

• Organize and facilitate child/youth activities, including Real Strength prevention-based activities and curriculum.

• Co-facilitate weekly Parenting Group and provide parenting support to survivors.

• Utilize community resources to plan and facilitate field trips and enrichment opportunities.

• Provide referrals and advocacy to appropriate agencies on behalf of children and youth.

Community Education & Prevention

Market agency programs and services to service area schools and community groups.

Facilitate community education and prevention programs on domestic violence, healthy relationships, and the Real Strength Five Pillars (Healthy Relationships, Bystander Intervention, Allyship, Nonviolence, Gun Violence Prevention).

Network with schools, youth-serving organizations, and community partners on issues of primary prevention.

Serve as agency representative on interagency teams and task forces promoting service coordination for children, youth, and families.

General

Maintain accurate service records and submit all required statistics in accordance with agency due dates.

Provide coverage to 24-hour hotline and shelter as scheduled.

Serve as a member of the 24-hour hotline back-up rotation.

Attend and participate in regular meetings called by MWC, CCADV, and other meetings as necessary, including training programs developed for Advocates.

Uphold privileged communication of clients and fulfill responsibilities of mandatory reporting.

Provide peer coverage to critical tasks such as court-based family violence victim advocacy as needed.

Maintain vacant shelter rooms for immediate occupancy.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Programs or Executive Director.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree or eight (8) years of experience in a related field. A combination of an Associate’s Degree plus four (4) years of experience will be considered.

Comprehensive working knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence and the impact on children and youth.

Commitment to working with domestic violence victims and their children to develop safety plans and preserve their right to self-determination.

Knowledge of child and youth development, including the impact of trauma and violence exposure.

Effective oral and written communication skills.

Ability to gather, consolidate, and present client information through interviews and documentation.

Knowledge of community resources.

Ability to work effectively with both traditional and non-traditional systems.

Ability to maintain service records, complete accurate statistical and narrative reports, and submit them in accordance with due dates.

Must obtain and maintain certification as a battered women’s counselor, as per CGS 52-146k.

Schedule

37.5 hours per week, primarily Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm. This position includes a ½ hour unpaid lunch. This position will require some flexible hours to meet the needs of the organization.

Special Requirements

This position may require infrequent travel. A valid driver’s license and current certificate of insurance is required for personnel who may travel in their scope of service to Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis. Criminal, Department of Children and Families and Department of Motor Vehicles background checks are required for all staff to confirm suitability for employment.