Advocate

The Advocate provides support to clients and clients' non-offending family members, ensuring continuous access to essential services that have been impacted due to victimization. This position is committed to actively promoting the interests of clients and their families by reducing barriers to services and fostering access to a range of resources that contribute to the overall well-being and recovery of those affected by trauma.

Position reports to: Clinical Supervisor

Essential Functions:

Information & Referral

Evaluate referrals for the suitability of Center services.

Provide resources and facilitate access to essential resources by providing information and

referrals to internal and external services that cater to the diverse needs of a client.

Utilize knowledge of housing, protective orders, domestic violence intervention, food assistance, transportation services, public assistance programs, childcare, and civil legal services to guide clients in accessing appropriate resources to address needs related to abuse.

Adhere to external service referral procedures and ensure compliance with Center policies.

Provide information regarding the role of the Advocate to the client/caregiver.

Assessment

Assess child’s individual needs and cultural considerations related to the Center’s service delivery and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and other service providers to ensure comprehensive and culturally sensitive support.

Determine the need for a risk assessment to evaluate the level of risk associated with the client's circumstances, when necessary.

Perform other assessments as appropriate, providing interventions that are tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of the child and family.

Take a proactive approach by developing individualized safety plans for clients, when necessary.

Coordinate with the Clinical team to ensure a client-centered, trauma-informed approach to service delivery.

Forensic Services Support

Meet with the non-offending caregiver during the child's Forensic Interview to provide support and information.

Attend pre- and post
- Interview meetings, actively participating in discussions and decision-making processes.

Observe interviews, as necessary, to stay informed and contribute effectively to the case.

Outreach & Follow-Up

Ensure that follow-up calls are made on a required intervals to assess continued family needs and access to services related to abuse.

Coordinate with other agencies to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and services.

Adhere to confidentiality when coordinating services through cross-referrals.

Document follow-up calls in a timely manner.

Assist in the planning and facilitation of groups;
Caregiver, Teen, and Body Safety.

Crime Victim Compensation

Maintain a supply of brochures and applications.

Routinely and repeatedly inform clients and non-offending caregivers of their rights as crime victims.

Review eligibility for crime victims related to the benefits with clients and caregivers.

Assist in the completion of the application and checking on claim status.

Court Support

Engage clients and family in education related to the investigation and prosecution process, while understanding their rights.

Track cases in order to provide updates to clients and family regarding investigations, courts dates, continuances, dispositions, sentencing, inmate status notification, and offender’s release from custody, if applicable.

Empower clients and families with in-depth knowledge about court procedures and providing a court orientation or tour when possible.

Support clients and family by attending court hearings, trials, or other legal proceedings related to the abuse, when appropriate.

Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

Schedule medical exams with the YWCA and coordinate the presence of volunteers or interns to accompany clients.

Actively participate in ongoing Case Review (Team Case), Case Consultation, Clinical meetings, Peer Review, Victim Advocate provider meetings, and All-Staff meetings.

Optimize relationship-building, share information and resources, discuss interagency challenges, avoid duplication of services, and address policy and practice needs with other providers…