DVIS Outreach Client Support Advocate

Description

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES, INC.

The philosophy of our organization is that all people have the right to live without fear, abuse, oppression, and violence.  Our advocacy programs embrace the philosophy that people experiencing violence and/or abuse have the potential to control their lives and can be helped in doing so through support, information, and encouragement.  We believe that our organization should model behavior that is nonviolent and uses power responsibly for personal and organizational action and growth.  

SUMMARY OF DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Later in Life Outreach/Client Support Advocate serves as a staff member at will of Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS). Later in Life Outreach/Client Support Advocate will lead the initiative to increase understanding and coordinate the response to abuse against elders. Coordinate and facilitate meetings and training on the topic of elder abuse. Provide outreach and support to grant partners. Provide case management to people 50 and over with an emphasis on the LBGTQ+ community and staying within the grant guidelines. This person will also work 3 days a week in our Sapulpa office and 2 days a week in the LIFE Senior Services office. This is a 1 year grant funded position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Priority 1: Equity and Inclusion

• Reflect and understand how identities could give advantages in the workplace—even if they are not asked for or earned—while others might experience disadvantages.  Reflect on how our position and power may shift depending on the environment, the people, or the institutions at play. Build the awareness and compassion that is needed and expected to create an equitable and inclusive workplace.   
• Create an inclusive environment and behave in a way that ensures that clients and employees feel embraced, no matter what their cultural orientations are, respected and valued, engaged, and connected to the community, and safe from abuse and harassment.

Priority 2: Advocacy

• Provide assistance, advocacy, and moral support to adults 50 and over who are seeking to file an Emergency Protective Order, filing criminal charges associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and/or violation of Protective Orders.
• Provide case management such as initial assessment or initial screening; make referrals for services to various partners and agencies such as TPD Family Violence Unit, DVIS shelter, outpatient counseling, legal services, DHS Adult Protective Services, and Life Senior Services; supporting and providing resources for older survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other elder abuse; working with survivors to determine risks and goals; conducting safety planning with every client. Maintain 25-30 client caseload.
• Provide advocacy and support to adults 50 and over at all DVIS sites including outpatient, hospital, shelter, transitional housing and the Family Safety Center. This position will be housed 50% of their time at the shelter to manage the “elder” clients within the Shelter program. The other 50% of their time will encompass time at the other locations/departments.
• Responsible for making follow-up calls to survivors.
• Coordinate the response and protocol for crimes against older survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other abuse.
• Organize a multi-disciplinary team and facilitate meetings.
• Collaborate with the Finance Department to coordinate financial assistance via Client Assistance applications in adherence to DVIS and grant guidelines. 

Priority 3: Education and Outreach

• Organize and facilitate training for law enforcement, DVIS, and other victim services providers related to providing services to elder victims.
• Provide outreach activities to community partners to develop and implement the goals and objectives of the Elder Abuse Grant.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Excellent organizational skills with a proven ability to track progress, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong writing and analytical skills, including synthesizing complex information.
• Experience in data collection, research, and proactive workload management.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct community outreach and build strong relationships.
• Intermediate computer skills required.
• Knowledge of or experience with social justice issues, particularly intimate partner and gender-based violence, as well as racial, class, gender, and sexual orientation issues.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, with the