Childrens Program Shelter Advocate

YWCA Northeast Kansas is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We provide transformative services in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking, Community Violence Interruption, before- and after-school programming, and leadership and inclusion initiatives. 

Job Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00AM-7:00PM 

Reporting Relationship: Shelter Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Shelter Manager, the Children’s Services & Family Advocate maintains a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed environment for clients of YWCA Northeast Kansas’ Center for Safety and Empowerment (CSE). The Children’s Services & Family Advocate provides crisis intervention, advocacy, children’s services, and intensive case management to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking, with a specialized focus on children and family systems within the shelter setting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy & Victim/Survivor Support

• Provides or coordinates advocacy and support for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking, including:
  
  
  
  • Crisis intervention
  
  
  • Safety planning
  
  
  • Shelter-based case management
  
  
  • Referrals and service coordination
  
  
  • Court advocacy
  
  


• Provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and safety planning services in person and over the phone.


• Responds to victims/survivors at police stations and hospitals during assigned shifts. 


• Answers hotline calls and provides support.


• Carries a caseload of case management clients, including families with children.


• Assists clients in securing safe and affordable housing, healthcare, mental healthcare, financial assistance (DCF benefits, WIC, etc.), employment opportunities, and other income supports.


• Offers advocacy and/or transportation to community appointments (e.g., medical, mental health, housing) to provide a supportive presence.


• Completes required documentation for each client served.


• Ensures confidentiality, ethical standards, and trauma-informed/culturally responsive practices in all interactions with clients.


• Enters all client contacts, services, case notes, and required documentation into the agency database in a timely, accurate, and confidential manner.


• Assists victims/survivors with completing and filing Protection Orders.

Children’s Services & Family Support

• Develops, implements, and facilitates weekly trauma-informed children’s support groups at CSE Shelters.


• Collaborates with KCSDV and other community partners to support and enhance children’s programming.


• Educates children and caregivers on:
  
  
  
  • The impact of trauma on children
  
  
  • Healthy child development
  
  
  • Strategies to strengthen resilience and coping skills
  
  


• Creates and maintains a welcome packet for families entering shelter that includes child-focused trauma education and available resources.


• Develops and maintains a current list of community resources to meet the needs of children residing in shelter.


• Provides consultation and technical assistance to shelter staff when working with residents who have children.

Teamwork & Collaboration 

• Maintains regular communication with community partners regarding available resources.


• Refers and coordinates services with community agencies for needs not provided by CSE.


• Attends community meetings and collaborates with partner agencies, as needed, to support client services and systems coordination.


• Attends all required YWCA Northeast Kansas, CSE, and shelter staff meetings.


• Develops, promotes, and practices teamwork and open communication in all activities.


• Serves in the on-call rotation, including after-hours, overnight, weekend, or holiday availability as required.

Other Position Functions

• Refrains from assuming any duty that is unrelated to and/or interferes with the responsibilities of the position.


• Advocates, promotes, and practices cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in day-to-day interactions.


• Performs other duties assigned by the supervisor or CEO. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee holding this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

At a minimum, the Children’s Services & Family Advocate must have a degree in Social Work, Public Health, Human Services, or a related field. Relevant professional experience may be substituted for formal education requirements, depending on the nature and scope of the experience. In addition, the Children’s Services & Family Advocate shall have:

• Basic understanding of dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.


• Knowledge of local community resources and support services.


• Sensitivity to the needs of others.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage individuals in crisis.


• Ability to function well in a crisis setting where interruptions are frequent.


• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel within service areas.


• Dedication to relationship building and a commitment to working as an integral part of a team, while exercising significant initiative and autonomy.


• Commitment to the YWCA mission and values, including a strong focus on racial equity and social justice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Work Environment: Office


• Lifting Requirement: 50 pounds


• Able to climb flights of stairs multiple times daily.


• Travel Requirements:
  
  
  
  • Valid driver’s license.
  
  
  • Transportation.
  
  
  • Auto insurance.
  
  
  • Travel throughout the multi-county rural service area required.
  
  


• Pass various background checks.

NON DISCRIMINATION

YWCA Northeast Kansas is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and trauma-informed workplace. We recognize that systemic inequities impact many aspects of society, and we strive to address these through our policies, practices, and organizational culture. We believe that diversity in all its forms strengthens our mission and our work.

We do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. No question on our application is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination.

We are also committed to fair hiring practices, including the consideration of qualified applicants with criminal records, in line with applicable laws and our values of second chances and community reintegration.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds — including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; immigrants and refugees; LGBTQIA individuals; people with disabilities; gender-diverse individuals; survivors; and members of other historically underrepresented communities.