Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Advocate

Days / Shift: Monday through Friday; 8:30am - 5:00pm (with flexibility to meet program needs)

Position Type / Classification: Full-Time 40 hours;
Non-Exempt

Location / Travel: Vero/Tri-County (Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin County)

The Domestic Violence and Child Welfare (DVCW) serves as the expert on child welfare involved domestic violence cases and helps build the capacity of child welfare professionals to partner with survivors and hold batterers accountable through case staffing’s, case consultations, and staff training. The DVCW Advocate will serve as a consultant to the child welfare staff and also provide safety planning, advocacy, crisis intervention, and ongoing supportive services to domestic violence survivors.

The DVCW Advocate will be co-located in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child Protection Investigation (CPI) Unit.

• Referrals and Initial Contact
  • Make follow‑up calls to domestic violence survivors upon receipt of a referral form from the child welfare staff.
  • Connect survivors with services provided by the certified domestic violence center based on their specific needs.
• Case Staffing/Consultations
  • Participate in formal and informal staffing of cases involving domestic violence.
  • Consult in the development of safety plans and/or case plans that enhance survivor and child safety while holding batterers accountable.
• Collaboration
  • Facilitate monthly meetings with DCF, local Community Based Care (CBC) agency, and other CPI project partners to discuss successes, barriers to collaboration, and develop strategies to resolve emerging issues.
  • Serve as a liaison between child welfare and the domestic violence center staff.
• Training
  • Conduct onsite training for local child welfare professionals on topics including the dynamics of domestic violence, the intersection of domestic violence and child maltreatment, batterer accountability, and safety planning.
  • Conduct onsite training to domestic violence center staff on the child welfare system and best practices when working with survivors involved in the child welfare system.
  • Participate in training offered by DCF or other local child welfare partners.
  • Participate in trainings, meetings, technical assistance visits, webinars, and conference calls as required by DCF and FLDVC.
• Data Collection
  • Submit monthly reports which include information about progress to date on CPI Project deliverables.
  • Collect and report non‑personally identifying aggregate data regarding project activities and services.
  • Keep track of referrals and consultations by county to identify areas of growth.
• Services Provided to Survivors
  • Crisis intervention services and supportive counseling.
  • Adult and child safety planning.
  • Advocacy within the child welfare and criminal justice systems.
  • Growing together support groups.
  • Information and referrals for other services as appropriate.
• Other Duties
  • Other duties as assigned related to the CPI Project.

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related human services field preferred and one year or more providing case management, crisis intervention and/or advocacy to vulnerable, at‑risk, or culturally specific populations. May substitute equivalent professional experience with a High School diploma or GED.
• Bilingual language skills are preferred (Spanish).
• Must have a strong understanding of and commitment to the dynamics of domestic violence and empowerment‑based advocacy, including the intersection of domestic violence and children.
• Must have a comprehensive understanding of the services and programs of the local certified domestic violence center or child welfare system.
• Must have skills that allow for working independently and collaboratively with community partners.
• Must be flexible in working hours to deal with unexpected needs or emergency situations that may arise and be prepared to work effectively with various populations of people.
• Ability to engage in and model supportive, healthy relationships with survivors, peers, staff and community members, as well as safely de‑escalate a crisis, conflict, and critical event utilizing a trauma‑informed de‑escalation approach.
• Must have ability to…