On Site Victim Advocate, FASS, JBLM, Washington

Full-Time On Site Victim Advocate, FASS, JBLM, Washington

Provides services in support of the advocacy, intervention, prevention, education, and training to address domestic violence under the Army's Family Advocacy Program (FAP). This position supports the Army's Victim Advocacy Program (VAP) which provides comprehensive services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, to assist and advocate for victims of domestic abuse and to ensure a victim's easy transition to community resources.

The victim advocate (VA) serves Soldiers and Army Families living on and off the installation in accordance with the program protocol. This position is included in a Collective Bargaining Unit.

The duties include:

• Providing crisis intervention and comprehensive services to include emotional support, arrangement of transportation; accompany victims to medical, legal and/or law enforcement appointments (when requested), assist in securing protective orders, emergency food and/or shelter and information benefits.
• Working directly with victims to ensure that expressed needs are advocated and presented to personnel at intervening agencies.
• Assessing imminent risks for health and/or safety of the victim and make referrals as appropriate.
• Assisting victims with navigating the system to obtain the services desired and refer victims to the appropriate services for continued care.
• Ensuring victims of domestic abuse receive sensitive, confidential and immediate comprehensive care and treatment needed to restore health and well-being.
• Performing initial screening, non-clinical risk and lethality assessment and safety planning with victims of domestic abuse.
• Assisting victims in developing safety plans, conduct a lethality assessment, and provide emotional support, crisis intervention, prevention awareness and education to victims.
• Liaisons with the installation Family Advocacy Program Manager (FAPM) to ensure that comprehensive victim services and training are provided through a coordinated community response to domestic abuse victims, Family Members, Soldiers and Civilians authorized to receive services at a Military Treatment Facility.
• Providing crisis intervention and a warm hand off to community resources for victims who are not eligible for services through a Military Treatment Facility.
• Providing information on victim rights, services and resources available on and/or off the installation.
• Coordinating with the (FAPM) to develop procedures that ensure victims of domestic abuse receive timely and appropriate information.
• When contacted by a victim of domestic abuse, make contact either telephonically within 20 minutes or face to face within 60 minutes (when requested) by the victim.
• Explaining FAP disclosure and reporting options during the initial contact to ensure that the victim makes informed decisions about disclosing information regarding the abuse.
• Ensuring that first responders, (Emergency Medical Services and or law enforcement etc.) are contacted immediately during crisis situations where there is imminent harm to the victim, their children or program staff.
• Operating within established guidelines of the FAP and the Victim Advocacy Program, AR 608-18.
• Conducting domestic abuse training and awareness programs to educate Soldiers and Family members and Civilians.
• Understanding of Problematic Sexual Behavior
  - Child and Youth (PSB-CY)
• Guiding client families through the investigative process, encouraging their participation in the process, and helping them understand their rights as a victim of a crime.
• Formulating appropriate intervention strategies to improve a family's coping skills during a child abuse case investigation and prosecution process.
• Identifying and making every attempt to meet the needs of children and families who may be in crisis.
• Educating non-offending caregivers about the dynamics and possible long-term consequences of child abuse.
• Assessing family needs and encouraging non-offending caregivers to participate in recommended services and counseling.
• Providing information and assistance with completing Crime Victims' Compensation applications.
• Serving as a liaison between the family and multidisciplinary team members as…