Job Summary
Under general supervision of the Assistant Director, provides advocacy/case management services to assist clients who may be homeless or victims of crime related to issues of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking. The focus is to provide services that will assist and empower the homeless to move toward permanency and to empower victims to break the cycle of abuse and violence by providing families and individuals with the tools to move forward after a life altering experience by stabilizing their lives after the victimization through hotline, crisis intervention and counseling, shelter, case management, and advocacy and helping them understand and participate in the criminal justice system, and providing them with a measure of safety and security while assuring that their rights are protected. The incumbent performs all related activities including: 1) assessment, 2) providing information and counsel, 3) support groups and life skills, 4) linking with appropriate agency and community resources, 5) advocating on the victim’s behalf (i.e. court advocacy), 6) performing basic administrative tasks, and 7) educational prevention and awareness activities.
Essential Job Duties
1. To adhere to all agency and program policies and procedures and work within the context of the agency team values – compassion and respect, excellence and teamwork.
2. Provide casework services or case management to clients, including handling a caseload in accordance with the needs of the agency and the contractual obligations. Process intake and referrals as assigned, conduct assessments, and develop appropriate case plans and interventions to address client needs.
3. Assist the victim through the following activities, which shall include but not be limited to: crisis intervention, follow-up, comprehensive assessment, linking with agency and community resources, advocacy and intervention on the victims behalf, court related services, safety planning, security repairs, and other services as needed.
4. Perform the basic administrative tasks related to program and caseload assigned including: preparation of reports and client documentation, coordinating agency and client schedules, and cooperating in a team base environment with other agency staff.
5. Use supervision as a means for personal growth and development, and improved service to individual victims.
6. Strive to empower victims in accordance with agency’s mission and philosophy by assisting them in stabilizing their lives after the victimization, helping them understand and participate in the criminal justice system, and by providing them with a measure of safety and security.
7. Provide presentations/community education as determined.
8. Collaborate and network with other agencies in establishing and utilizing community resources to enhance awareness and appreciation of the client populations’ needs.
9. Development of community awareness and outreach opportunities by providing presentations at community events, health fairs, and workshops.
10. Provide coordination or supervision of paraprofessionals, students, and volunteers, and participate in training activities as assigned.
11. Participate in studies as assigned.
12. Assure confidentiality of information related to clients, personnel and other information of a confidential nature.
13. Serve as an advocate for clients and families ensuring access to services and resources.
Essential Job Duties - continued
14. Participate in on call system allowing 24/7 access for victims of violence.
15. Lead support groups, life skills and parenting groups for adults and children related to issues of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and dating violence.
16. Interpret agency's function and philosophy in relation to assignment.
17. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
NOTE: Some case managers in programs will focus on children’s issues, court advocacy, and homelessness, and sexual assault, non residential and transitional housing clients primarily. All case managers will be cross trained to assist in all areas of crisis services to provide adequate coverage and assistance and service as needed. Some case managers may work with Latino populations and focus on creating culturally sensitive environment.
Qualifications
1. A Baccalaureate degree in social work from an accredited college or university or in a related field such as psychology, sociology or other human and behavioral courses with one year of satisfactory work experience in human services field.
2. Good writing skills, oral communication, and the ability to empathize and build rapport with appropriate clients and their families.
3. Able to attend meetings and training sessions.
4. Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
5. Valid driver’s license with good driving record and an insured vehicle available.
6. Must pass criminal history background check, child/adult abuse and sexual perpetrator background check.
7. Must be able to work flexible hours
8. Ability to express and clearly communicate thoughts through verbal and written communication.
9. Ability to empathize and build rapport with clients. An ability to assess a client’s situation and assist them in developing a plan for meeting their need. Resolve to follow through with the agreed course of action.
10. Ability to establish and maintain relationships within and outside the agency in a professional manner.
11. Ability to evaluate own performance, and to recognize and control biases.
12. Ability to organize own time and effort while prioritizing multiple tasks according to immediacy and urgency.
13. An understanding of the obligations, functions, programs, and services within the agency.
14. A broad awareness of community resources relevant to client’s needs.
Key Performance Measures
1. Results of monitoring visits
2. Accuracy, quality and timeliness of documentation submitted by deadlines
3. Proper intake procedures, including established time frames for responses, service plan, peer review
4. Monthly reports completed/submitted by the 10th each month
5. Teaching life skills group – Goal 2 per month
6. Client satisfaction surveys (by the caregiver and, if possible, the client) with an analysis of the number of affirmative answers a successful outcomes reported. Goal 90%
7. Outreach to the community measured by number of residents utilizing services and community presentations - Goal 1 presentation per month
8. Ensuring on-call system 24/7 access for victims of violence- 95% response rate to hotline calls within 10 minutes.
Key Performance Measures - continued
9. Leading support groups for clients
10. Compliance with attendance policy
11. Bi-lingual Case Management: Number of clients assisted with court advocacy, order of protection/restraining orders
12. Non-Residential: Number of police report follow-ups from Hamilton County Court – Goal 90%
13. Transitions for Women: Number of clients entering program during the fiscal year – Goal is 10
14. Emergency Family Shelter: Number of clients completing program within 30-45 days
15. Family Violence Shelter Services: Number of clients completing program within 90 days
16.