Family Advocate- FT (SL County

• Category:
  ** Full time (32-40 hours per week)
• FLSA Status:
  ** Non-exempt
• Pay:** $18-20.00 per hour DOE

• Title:
  
  ** Family Advocate
• Department:
  ** Shelter
• Location:
  
  ** Salt Lake County Site
• Supervisor:
  ** Youth Program Lead
• Category:
  ** Full time (32-40 hours per week)
• FLSA Status:
  ** Non-exempt
• Pay:** $18-20.00 per hour DOE

• Schedule:
  
  ** Tuesday -- Friday 11 am -- 5 pm and Saturday 9 am- 5 pm. Flexibility in shifts worked is required as Shelter Services operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Family Advocate is a Specialty Advocate role. The Family Advocate needs to be fully trained as a Resident Advocate as they will fill in as needed on the helpline and with other Resident Advocate duties. The focus of the Family Advocate is offering assistance and support to children and their families while they reside in the shelter. This support includes welcome meetings, safety planning, Family Support groups, and working in the after-school program and summer camp.

This position will communicate with the families throughout their stay and offer suggestions and resources to solve problems with them.

SVS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide options to anyone who has experienced domestic and sexual violence. SVS provides free and confidential services including emergency shelter, safe housing, trauma-informed counseling, advocacy, and tools for life.

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance. The ability to arrive on time and work scheduled shifts is necessary to provide the required level of services to clients.
• All advocates answer and manage multiple phone lines on the 24-hour help line; provide crisis advocacy, safety planning support, and referrals and information to help callers with guidance and resources; and document all activities in an electronic database.
• Complete welcome meetings with all families within 48 hours of arrival. Provide community resources, school information, referrals, and safety planning as needed.
• Monitor situations to ensure compliance with DCFS reporting laws, make DCFS referrals as needed, and follow up with parents and youth on all cases.
• Assist parents in obtaining needed items for youth.
• Provide limited childcare to assist parents.
• Provide therapy recommendations and referrals for youth and parent support.
• Monitor children and parents to ensure proper supervision and a safe environment at all times.
• Assist with preparation for materials and activities for children's activities/programs.
• Facilitate children's activities and events as needed, including the After School and Summer Camp programs.
• Ensure Children's Learning Center and all items are clean and sanitized regularly and comply with all safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Communicate regularly with the Development Team regarding needs/donations for children's activities/programs.
• Meet biweekly to discuss behavioral needs/goals and parenting support.
• Participate in weekly community meetings.
• Coordinate with volunteers who assist in the After School and Summer Camp programs.
• Assist with all general Resident Advocate duties as needed including but not limited to: cleaning resident bedrooms/bathrooms upon exit of residents; maintaining all areas free from health/safety/fire hazards; and conducting safety and security checks of residents and property by moving inside and outside the facility.
• Demonstrate support for/practice SVS strategic imperative of being part of a 360-degree, trauma-informed organization.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents, staff, volunteers, donors, and vendors.
• Ensure confidentiality and proper handling of all client information.
• Perform CPR and administer First Aid as needed.

• Complete miscellaneous duties to compl with sanitation, safety, health, DCFS, and licensing regulations.
• Attend all required SVS training and meetings.
• Meet biweekly with supervisor to provide updates and reports on progress.
• Assist with special projects and events.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of 6 to 12 months working with children/families in crisis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing in English.
• Ability to form positive connections with children and work with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Ability to demonstrate/utilize compassion, empathy, and respect when interacting with residents and callers on the 24-hour helpline.
• Pass and maintain eligible status on a Direct Access Clearance System (DACS) criminal background check.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR Certification within 30 days and recertify every two years.

• Knowledge of domestic violence dynamics and prevention strategies, and trauma-informed practices.
• Bilingual English/Spanish fluency.