Court Order of Protection Assistance; COPA) Advocate

Court Order of Protection Assistance (COPA) Advocate Job Description General Responsibilities

Under the supervision and direction of the Director of City Advocacy Services of Crime Victim Center (CVC), the Court Order of Protection Assistance (COPA) Victim Advocate is responsible for providing case management services to victims of intimate partner violence to overcome the negative and dehumanizing impact of crime on their lives. This position is located at the CVC satellite office located at the Civil Courts Building in St.

Louis City, 10 N Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63101.

• Ensure that advocacy and support is available to survivors of intimate partner violence petitioning for Orders of Protection. Services offered include but are not limited to assistance in filing, information about Adult and Child Orders of Protection and the court process, safety planning, case management, knowledge of other court resources and community resources.
• Work with court clerks to separate IPV and non-IPV petitions for a better-standardized court process and make sure that hearings are handled and scheduled separately.
• Coordinate with and support COPA Filing Advocate in providing services to survivors of intimate partner violence
• Attend full and default hearings with intimate partner survivors seeking an Order of Protection.
• Assist intimate partner violence victims with service options, including coordination with the Sheriff’s Department and providing information for Special Process Servers.
• Follow up with victims to inform them of any court updates as needed..
• Maintain computerized records according to agency policy and procedure.
• Maintain COPA office to provide victims with privacy to discuss their situation, access to a telephone for immediate needs, and area resources.

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