Citrus Abuse Shelter Association
Job Summary
Job Title: Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Advocate (Non-Exempt)
Location: Outreach and local DCF office
Position reports to: Outreach Program Manager
I. Summary of the main function/purpose of the position:
The Domestic Violence and Child Welfare (DVCW) Advocate will be co-located in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child Protection Investigation (CPI) Unit. The 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 staffings, case consultations, and staff training. Although the primary role of the DVCW Advocate is to serve as a consultant to the child welfare staff, the advocate is also available to provide safety planning, advocacy, and on-going support services to domestic violence survivors.
II. Principal duties/responsibilities:
1. Referrals and Initial Contact
a. Make follow-up calls to domestic violence survivors upon receipt of a referral form from the child welfare staff.
b. Connect survivors with services provided by the certified domestic violence center based on their specific needs.
c. Answer hotline calls as needed.
2. Case Staffings/Case Consultations
a. Participate in formal and informal staffings of cases involving domestic violence.
b. Consult in the development of safety plans and/or case plans that enhance survivor and child safety while holding batterers accountable for their violence.
3. Collaboration
a. Facilitate monthly meetings with DCF, local Community Based Care (CBC) agency, and other CPI project partners to discuss successes, barriers to collaboration, and to develop strategies to resolve emerging issues with CPI project.
b. Serve as a liaison between child welfare and the domestic violence center staff.
4. Training
a. Conduct onsite training for local child welfare professionals on topics including, but not limited to, the dynamics of domestic violence, the intersection of domestic violence and child maltreatment, batterer accountability, and safety planning.
b. 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.
c. Participate in training offered by DCF or other local child welfare partners.
d. Participate in trainings, meetings, technical assistance visits, webinars, and conference calls as required by various funders.
5. Data Collection
a. Submit monthly reports as required which include information about progress to date on CPI Project deliverables.
b. Collect and report non-personally identifying aggregate data regarding project activities and services.
c. Administer a satisfaction survey to CPI Project participants to assess potential areas of enhancement of program services.
6. Services provided to survivors by the DVCW Advocate must be voluntary and include, but are not limited to:
a. Crisis intervention services and supportive counseling
b. Adult and child safety planning
c. Advocacy within the child welfare and criminal justice systems
d. Domestic violence support groups
e. Information and referrals for other services as appropriate
7. Other duties as assigned related to the CPI Project.
III. Work Experience/Educational Requirements:
The DVCW Advocate possesses, at minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree and one year experience delivering direct services in a domestic violence center/shelter, or a high school/equivalency diploma and two years experience delivering direct services in a domestic violence center/shelter. The DVCW Advocate must have a strong understanding of and commitment to the philosophy of the Battered Women’s Movement and knowledge of the feminist analysis of battering, as well as the dynamics of domestic violence, knowledge of root causes of violence against women and oppressed groups. The DVCW Advocate must have experience in the intersection of domestic violence and child welfare including the dependency process. An experienced advocate who has worked within or in close partnership with the Department of Children and Families, a Community Based Care agency, or a related child welfare agency is preferred.
IV. Specialized or technical educational requirement:
The DVCW Advocate possesses an expert understanding of domestic violence including the intersection of domestic violence and children. The DVCW Advocate will have a comprehensive understanding of the services and programs of the local certified domestic violence center and child welfare agencies. The DVCW Advocate possesses an understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and empowerment-based advocacy. The candidate will possess strong communication skills, and is capable of addressing small and large groups of individuals. The employee possesses skills that allow for working independently and collaboratively with community partners. The DVCW Advocate must be flexible in working hours to deal with emergency situations that may arise and be prepared to work effectively with various populations of people.
V. Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
VI. Work Environment:
The DVCW Advocate position is co-located at the local Child Protection Investigations (CPI) unit and requires local travel to monthly partnership meetings, court hearings, the local certified domestic violence center, and home visits with child welfare staff (if permitted by the certified domestic violence center).
I have read the duties and requirements of this position. By signing below I agree and understand that I must be able to perform each duty and requirement set forth above.
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Employee Signature Date
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Supervisor Signature Date
Updated 4/26/2021
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