What are the responsibilities and job description for the Victim Advocate position at The Wellspring?
Job Purpose: : Provides domestic violence advocacy through case management support reflective of The Wellspring Alliance for Families mission which is to strengthen the well-being and development of families and individuals. Develops increased community awareness of domestic violence and the services available.
Experience and Knowledge
Experience and Knowledge
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field
- Knowledge of community resources
- Previous experience working with the public
- Knowledge of community resources and the ability to develop and access community resources
- Must demonstrate mature and objective, non-judgmental behaviors
- Ability to assess situations both within and outside the client system and determine priorities
- Verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to record with clarity and promptness and computer skills
- Good listening skills and the ability to ask appropriate questions
- Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships and to communicate and work with other staff, clients, volunteers and other professionals from various cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds
- Ability to work within the purpose, structure and constraints of the agency
- Ability to maintain poise and control and to be effective even under extreme stress and unexpected crises
- Ability to prioritize and budget time and duties efficiently
- Ability to manage position with minimal supervision
- Ability to assume responsibility for own learning
- Ability to promote teamwork among co-workers and project participants.
- Service: I act with a servant’s heart to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of others.
- Teamwork: I willingly help my teammates.
- Respect: I recognize the dignity, worth and importance of others.
- Open-hearted: I am kind, caring and compassionate.
- iNtegrity: I am honest and ethical in all that I do.
- Growth: I embrace challenges and change with a positive attitude.
- Orientation
- Ongoing staff in-service in related fields
- Monthly Agency Staff meetings, program delivery meetings and program area meetings
- Initial and ongoing training in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault as required by the LA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) and the LA Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LaFASA)
- Determines nature of client’s situation by:
- Assessing participant’s needs and determining the nature of the situation through interview process.
- Conduct life skills classes and support groups to program participants
- Planning and implementing age appropriate activities and groups that are empowering to children of domestic violence and that focus on self-esteem, safety planning, emotional expression, etc.
- Provide community outreach in various rural communities.
- Develop and sustain community partnerships through education of programs and services.
- Establishes course of action by:
- Preparing an individualized comprehensive service plan for program participant/family, which is developed, negotiated and agreed upon by the client and program staff and which identifies services and assistance necessary to achieve the participant’s stated goals.
- Assessing lethality of individual client situation
- Developing and reviewing safety plan with clients and their children.
- Raise public awareness about domestic violence and the need for victim services within the community by:
- Contacting members of the community including: law enforcement, health care professionals, victim advocates, clergy, schools, child and family services, and other entities from the community.
- Disseminating domestic violence pamphlets, youth dating pamphlets, and domestic violence posters
- Providing domestic violence presentations to civic organizations, schools, churches, law enforcement, health care personnel and other entities.
- Obtains assistance for client by:
- Accessing and mobilizing resources to meet the client’s needs. (Example: advocating on behalf of client with Social Security office, Office of Community Support, Food Stamp Office, housing, employment and job training.)
- Establishing a rapport with other agencies.
- Fosters client’s action or adjustment by:
- Interpreting attitudes and patterns of behavior.
- Reviews and highlights new options.
- Empathetic listening.
- Maintains record of case by:
- Documenting client’s situation and client’s own actions.
- Documenting advocacy for client.
- Assuring that records are sent to Outcomes Monitor in timely manner.
- Monitors planned actions by:
- Periodic follow-up.
- Reassessing client goals as needed.
- Maintains operations by:
- Following policies and procedures.
- Participating in quality reviews.
- Completing paper work in a timely manner.
- Following safety procedures at all times.
- Maintains client confidence and protects operations by:
- Keeping information confidential
- Contributes to team effort by:
- Demonstrating flexibility and accommodating change.
- Accomplishing related results as needed.
- Performs other duties as related to the position and as assigned
- Work non-traditional hours and/or alternate schedule during special projects or to meet agency deadlines