DV Shelter Advocate

Days/Shift: Monday – Friday, 7:00am - 3:00pm (with flexibility to meet program needs)

Position Type/Classification: Full-time 40 hours per week;
Non-Exempt

The DV Shelter 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 residing in the emergency shelter. The DV Shelter Advocate provides 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 Shelter Advocate handles hotline calls to assess callers for eligibility and provides telephone advocacy services to callers. The DV Shelter Advocate assists with the daily operations of the emergency DV shelter and assists with health and safety tasks, inventory, distribution of supplies, and organizing.

• Handle Hotline calls from survivors, law enforcement officers, emergency dispatchers, and/or community partners, contacting the Safe Space, Inc. Domestic Violence Hotline in a calm, professional, and non-judgmental manner.
• Provide survivors/callers with the following: eligibility and risk assessments, safety planning, information and referrals, emotional support, crisis intervention, domestic violence education, resources, and confidentiality.
• Facilitate shelter orientation with residents upon entry and communicate community living guidelines to survivors as outlined in the Resident Handbook and provide welcome kits. Complete shelter intakes within 24 hours with new survivors entering the shelter program and immediately enter all relevant client data / information into the Safe Space client management database.
• Schedule and facilitate ongoing case management appointments as needed and requested by the survivor and provide on‑going safety planning, risk/lethality assessment, crisis counseling/advocacy, transportation, service plan coordination with outside agencies, case management, goal setting, assists with identifying and accessing safe housing, education on the dynamics of domestic violence, information and referrals, court accompaniment and exit meetings.
• Enter, update and maintain current and appropriate participant information regarding all ongoing services provided to participants immediately into the agency’s client database system in accordance with Safe Space standards.
• Must maintain confidentiality laws applied to survivors of domestic violence and offer Releases of Information in the best interest of the survivor.
• As identified or requested, provide relevant referrals and follow up with the participants 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. Coordinate parent/family support services with other agencies to address concerns expressed by parent/legal guardian. Accompany participant as needed.
• Inform and assist survivors in filing victim compensation claims from the Office of the Attorney General and processing Address Confidentiality applications including gathering the needed documentation and informing survivors of their rights.
• Provide follow‑up advocacy with the victim compensation agency on the survivor’s behalf.
• Provide criminal and civil advocacy services including court accompaniment, assisting participants in registering for Florida Department of Corrections VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday), complete referrals to Safe Space’s IFP Program, review law enforcement reports and initiate contact with the victim to offer services.
• Facilitate weekly house meetings and groups on diverse topics that support an understanding of the dynamics of power and control while fostering individual safety, choice, strength, and well‑being.
• Participate in case staffing, shift meetings, team meetings, and staff meetings.
• Engage in…