Domestic Violence Shelter Advocate

INDEPENDENCE HOUSE, INC.

Independence House, Inc. (IH) is a comprehensive domestic & sexual violence community-based agency and shelter program in Barnstable County that focuses on meeting unique and cultural needs of survivors and their children. The IH Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter is a fully inclusive pet and therapeutic animal friendly environment. We provide safety, food, shelter, advocacy, counseling, and other resources to assist survivors in rebuilding violence-free lives for themselves and their children.

IH is committed to the values of inclusivity, equality, anti-oppression, non-hierarchical structure, and a non-judgmental and empowerment framework. IH works closely with other agencies in the community, to provide a comprehensive network of resources for survivors of violence and their children. IH works with these agencies and other community groups to provide education, prevention and training about domestic & sexual violence toward community transformation and change.

Please see our website ependencehouse.org for more information.

The Shelter Advocate is responsible for providing support and advocacy to victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children in the emergency shelter. The Shelter Advocate works closely with shelter children advocates to offer and provide services for parents and children at the shelter, including intakes, assessments, advocacy, case management, safety planning, educational and recreational activities, crisis counseling, and ongoing emotional support.

The Advocate also collaborates with the Children Exposed to Domestic Violence staff, the IH Clinical Director & Shelter Director and to provide comprehensive services to families at the shelter. The Advocate represents IH through participation in community and statewide meetings, collaborations, and coalitions; documents as appropriate, prepares rooms/units for new survivors, assures safety and attend supervision and team meetings. The Shelter Advocate is an awake position.

Work shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays to ensure adequate coverage of the shelter program. Full-time Shelter advocates are scheduled to work designated shifts Monday through Friday. Regular Part-time, Variable part-time/Relief Shelter Advocates provide weekend and overnight coverage in addition to weekday and holiday coverage as needed.

• Trauma informed crisis intervention, intakes, advocacy and safety planning, emotional support, to adults/youth in the shelter, including assessment and development of safety plans, parenting support, information, education & referral and individual action plans
• Make referrals and advocate for connections to community resources such as educational, housing, medical care, childcare, etc.
• Coordinate and facilitate weekly Support Group/Youth Group and various programming in partnership with survivors
• Maintain up-to-date information on survivors, intakes, and exits
• Coordinate with shelter team to provide childcare to parents as needed
• Coordinate with the Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Program Children’s Advocate to provide ongoing parental support
• Address issues of child abuse and neglect in accordance with MA law, follow and work alongside appropriate agencies
• In partnership with survivor, develop and facilitate group activities

• Offer weekly case management meetings with shelter survivors to focus on individual needs and link…