Child Advocate Middletown

Position: Child Advocate - Full Time - Middletown

Provides support, referrals, information and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence and their children; works to safeguard the lives of victims and their children who have experienced violence in their homes. Educates the community served by the program regarding domestic violence and develops outreach to enhance the accessibility of the program.

Job Description Summary

Hours for this position are Monday 4pm-12am, Tuesday-Friday 9am-5:30pm.

Role and Responsibilities

• Responds to referrals for children and adolescents, assessing their situations, making informed referrals and intake decisions.
• Responds to contacts made by victims, assessing their situation, making informed referrals and intake decisions. Explains shelter functions, goals, regulations to those entering the program.
• Provides individual supportive counseling sessions with children and adolescents as needed.
• Familiarizes self with resources in county for children and adolescents, makes appropriate referrals and stays updated on current resource listings.
• Advocates for children and adolescents within the legal, welfare, housing and medical systems.
• Acts as a liaison between sheltered and non‑sheltered children and agencies in the community.
• Provides outreach and community education in local school systems during the academic year.
• Facilitates children and adolescent support groups within New Horizons and the community.
• Coordinates services and resources for children including play groups, indoor/outdoor activities, arts and crafts, music, drama and sports.
• Collaborates with other groups (CCADV, SACS, DCF) to educate the public, improve services offered, and to advocate for the rights of domestic violence victims and their children.
• Maintains compliance with agency mandatory training requirements.
• Attends Child Advocate meetings held by CCADV.
• Collects, transports, and organizes donations and follows up with appropriate thank‑you messages.
• Responsible for the hotline calls on an as‑needed basis.
• And other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Required Skills and Education

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred Skills

• Comprehensive working knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence.
• Commitment to working with victims affected by domestic violence, and a capacity to develop an overall plan for their safety and the preservation of their right to self‑determination.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Knowledge of community resources.

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Current American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer and AED (CPR/FPR/AED) certification, or an alternative American Heart Association BLS/AED for Healthcare Providers certification.
• Certification as a battered women's counselor, as approved by CCADV.
• Current driver's license with a clean driving record at time of hire and throughout employment.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• May require rapid physical response; however, work is primarily sedentary.
• Because of safety and security threats, this is a stressful position.
• Requires stair climbing.

Additional Qualifications

This position requires a high degree of communication as victims of domestic violence are often under severe stress. The Child Advocate must be able to communicate with New Horizons staff/Community Health Center staff and other agency providers on issues of domestic violence.

Organization Information

Community Health Center, Inc. (CHCI). CHC is one of the country's most creative and dynamic providers of primary medical, dental and behavioral health services, and a leader in practice‑based research, health professionals training, and use of innovative technologies to advance health and healthcare. CHCI is designated as a federally qualified health center and a patient‑centered medical home by HRSA, the Joint Commission, and NCQA, respectively.

We deliver more than 500,000 patient visits per year from primary care hubs and community clinics across the state of Connecticut, all connected by technology and common standards for quality. We employ several hundred medical, dental, and behavioral health providers who are engaged in practice, teaching, and research. Our Weitzman Institute is devoted to research and practice transformation and is recognized around the country as one of the premier research institutes focused on improving health care and health outcomes for special and vulnerable populations.

Location

Community Based Services Admin – Middletown, Connecticut.

Employment Details

Full time. MWHS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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