Bilingual Survivor Advocate & Community Liaison

Description

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.

Position Summary

The Bilingual Survivor Advocate & Community Liaison serves as an advocate, case manager, and point of contact between OHS and DVIS in order to provide client services, education, and consultation to those working with and those impacted by domestic and/or sexual violence. This position supports survivors through crisis intervention and case management while fostering a positive shelter environment. They collaborate with internal teams, external agencies, and OHS to enhance service delivery and communication. This role involves representing DVIS in community outreach and educational efforts. They also ensure coordination between DVIS and OHS to meet client needs and maintain effective service plans.

Essential Duties & 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, Case Management, and Crisis Intervention

• Perform entries, intakes, and needs assessments; create individualized service plans, and make referrals to community resources.
• Provide individual case management to address identified needs such as education assistance and housing. 
• Document and maintain charts per DVIS guidelines and professional standards, and assist clients in obtaining needed services and completing necessary paperwork for safe housing.
• Offer supportive services, including safety planning, introducing DVIS services, and transporting clients to essential appointments to enhances safety and stability. 
• Promote a positive, clean environment within the shelter for both residents and employees.
• Organize and conduct psychoeducational groups and supportive activities for safe housing clients and serve as an educator on relevant topics such as safety and life skills.
• Maintain a comprehensive directory of local services including housing, financial assistance, educational assistance, job training, job placement, childcare, and other community resources.
• Develop and present curriculum for client financial health/literacy workshops, resume development, interview skills, job placement, and other pertinent skills.

Priority 3: Collaboration and Liaison

• Collaborate with other DVIS departments, federal, state, and local agencies to meet the needs of all DVIS clients. 
• Act as a liaison between DVIS and OHS. Assist in improving services for clients and interagency communication. 
• Attend Child Safety and other inter-disciplinary team meetings with OHS as scheduled. 
• Train and educate OHS staff on domestic violence dynamics through formal training and informal attendance at family case conferences. 
• Coordinate OHS-requested information/documentation and maintain open communication with OHS and court staff to advocate for the best interest of the family.
• Assist clients with transportation needs and coordinate care to ensure OHS and court-ordered plans are workable and goals are met.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

Other Duties/Responsibilities: Other assistance to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DVIS retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

 Budgetary/Fiscal Responsibilities: None

Responsibility for Confidentiality: The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DVIS and its clients.

Contact with Others: This position will interact with managers at all