DV InVest Advocate

Position Summary

The DV InVEST Advocate utilizes an empowerment-based, trauma-informed, survivor-centered service model to provide direct crisis intervention, comprehensive case management, risk assessment, safety planning, and individual and group advocacy to domestic violence survivors.

The DV InVEST Advocate provides case management services including but not limited to emotional support, information and referrals, criminal and civil advocacy, assistance with victim’s compensation, and linkage to resources focused on individual and family safety and self-determination of program participants. The DV InVEST Advocate is actively engaged in the community providing awareness, through presentations and training.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain an all-inclusive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

• Respond to and/or return calls from crisis hotline callers within 48 hours to offer and explain outreach services, utilizing a trauma-informed service model to provide direct crisis intervention, emotional support, information, linkage to resources and schedule an outreach appointment upon the request of the survivor.
• Complete outreach intake file at the first outreach appointment within 72 hours of hotline, if possible, and immediately enter all relevant client data / information into the Safe Space client management database.
• Schedule and facilitate ongoing outreach appointments upon request of the survivor and provide safety planning, risk/lethality assessment, counseling / advocacy, case management, education on the dynamics of domestic violence and information regarding the availability of the Safe Space emergency shelter.
• Enter, update and maintain current and appropriate participant information regarding all ongoing services provided to participants immediately into agency’s client management database in accordance with Safe Space contractual standards.
• Assist Outreach participants with developing action (service) plan(s) to achieve identified goal(s). (5%)
• As identified or requested, provide relevant referrals and follow up with the participant as appropriate and assist with accessing referrals, including, but not limited to: injunctions, legal processes and options, financial, medical, mental health, educational, employment, local youth services, after school care, summer camps, and ELC. Must complete ROI. Coordinate parent/family support services with other agencies to address concerns expressed by parent / legal guardian.
  
  Accompany the participant as needed.
• Serve as a liaison between Survivors and the judicial system to support, advocate, and assist survivors to navigate cases with law enforcement, the State Attorney Office, Office of the Attorney General, and Child Welfare.
• Inform and assist the survivors in filing victim compensation claims from the Office of the Attorney General including gathering the needed documentation, etc. Provide follow-up advocacy with the victim compensation agency on the survivor’s behalf.
• Conduct weekly follow-up contacts with all active participants via in-person appointments and phone calls, who haven’t had contact in the last 25 days.
• Review and update personal safety plan as needed to address changing circumstances of participants.
• Develop and update InVEST internal referral procedures with supervisor.
• Coordinate supportive services for shelter residents along with DV Shelter Advocate to achieve plan.
• Facilitate/co facilitate peer and educational support groups. (5%)
• Obtain and review police reports daily, and attempt contact with eligible survivors of domestic violence. Verbal contact will be attempted within 72 hours of receiving the report. Document on agency forms all attempts to contact eligible survivors identified within Law Enforcement reports.
• Participate in case staffing, shift meetings, team meetings, and staff meetings.
• Facilitate community-based training with judicial professionals including but not limited to State Attorney, Law Enforcement, Victim Advocates, Child Protection Investigators, Veteran’s Affairs, Rural Communities, and other…