Child Advocate

To provide crisis intervention, support, advocacy and case management services to meet the emotional, behavioral, educational and recreational needs of child witnesses of domestic violence through all agency programs and services. To support parents in engaging in positive, healthy and non-violent relationships with their children.

The Child Advocate is supervised by the Director of Programs and ultimately accountable to the Executive Director. Tasks may be assigned by the Nighttime Shelter Manager and Director of Programs to meet the needs of program clients.

Non-Exempt, Bargaining

3 7.5 hours per week

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

• Facilitate support and educational groups for program children

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

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

• C complete Intake, Exit, and Goal and Evaluation forms for each child

• Organize and facilitate mother/child activities periods to observe interactions

• Utilize community resources to plan and facilitate field-trips

• Co-facilitate weekly Parenting Group

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

• 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

• Provide coverage to the Holiday Schedule

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

• Must uphold privileged communication of clients and all 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
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Programs or Executive Director

• Bachelor's Degree or eight years (8) years experience in 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 working with youth.
• Commitment to working with domestic violence victims and their children to develop a plan for their safety and preserve their right to self-determination.
• Comprehensive knowledge child development, including the impact of trauma on child witnesses of domestic violence
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to gather, consolidate and present client information through interviews
• 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 in accordance with due dates
• Must obtain and maintain certification as battered women’s counselor, as per CGS 52-146k

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

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…