Child & Family Advocate at The Center… · Danbury

Child & Family Advocate

Position Summary

Hours of work: 35 hours per week as scheduled, Monday-Friday 12pm-8pm. Occasional evening and weekend hotline coverage.

The Child & Family Advocate provides crisis support, safety planning, and advocacy services to victims and survivors of interpersonal violence who come to The Center for Empowerment and Education (CEE) for shelter services, while providing support to community clients as needed. This position is to be carried out while empowering victims with respect to their safety and their right to self-determination. The Child & Family Advocate is a member of CEE’s residential services team.

Essential Responsibilities

Advocacy

• Provide trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally relevant individual and group support services, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling for children, adolescents and families impacted by interpersonal violence primarily based out of CEE’s shelter, and community clients through the main office as needed.
• Work with Shelter Coordinator to conduct parent intakes for child clients.
• Develop short-term and long-term safety plans with clients and provide information and referral services for families to local outside agencies and resources; assist parents in developing safety plans which include their children.
• Provide written educational information to adult clients about domestic violence, sexual assault and its effects on victims, as well as children.
• Provide resources and referrals to parents and families regarding basic needs and other community support services.
• Collaborate with the Crisis and Advocacy team to support clients navigating systems such as law enforcement, family/criminal courts, DCF, and immigration.
• Provide information and assistance to clients regarding the application of OVS victim compensation and CT SAVIN.
• Distribute and collect client surveys for adult clients receiving services.

Crisis Support

• Provide crisis shift coverage as needed at main office, in collaboration with Crisis and Advocacy team.
• Respond promptly to MIT cases, as needed, providing support to non-offending family members, in collaboration with Crisis and Advocacy team.
• Develop safety plans with clients and provide information and referral services to local outside agencies and resources.
• Use trauma-informed and culturally responsive communication strategies to ensure every client is served with dignity and care.

Residential Operations & Facility Support

• Enforce all guidelines and submit incident reports; resolve disputes or terminate residency as needed
• Follow residential facility activities schedule
• Maintain food and clothing storage areas
• Perform physical maintenance tasks as assigned
• Perform perimeter checks to ensure all doors are locked
• Travel as required, transport clients in organization van
• Assist with donation pick-ups and distribution
• Follow established policies and protocols for the residential facility and organization

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain service records, complete reports and data to be submitted in a timely fashion in accordance with CCADV Program Standards, the Alliance and CEE policy.
• Enter all data and documentation into EmpowerDB within 24 business hours of providing services.
• Maintain in compliance with Connecticut statutes: C.G.S.52-146 including but not limited to: Privilege: C.G.S. 52-146K; Confidential Communication: C.G.S. 52-146(B) & C.G.S.52-146(F), C.G.S.52-146k(e); and Confidential Record Keeping: C.G.S.52-146 (i)
• Build effective, cooperative, positive relationships with co-workers and other community partners.
• Demonstrate initiative and take independent action to ensure work responsibilities are carried out fully.
• Perform all job responsibilities in accordance with CCADV Standards, the Alliance and CEE policies. All other job responsibilities assigned are consistent with the mission of serving survivors and eradicating violence and will be designated by supervisors.
• Participate in CEE staff meetings, trainings, events, programs, and initiatives
• Travel as required.

Key Competencies

• Strong multitasking and prioritization skills in a high-demand, fast-paced role.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach.
• Highly organized, with the ability to adapt quickly in crisis situations.
• Conflict resolution and emotional regulation in challenging or emotional client interactions.
• Discretion and professionalism with confidential information.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social service or related field.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish or Portuguese)
• High comfort level working with diverse populations, including undocumented individuals, LGBTQ+ survivors, youth, and people with disabilities.
• Requires the ability to respond calmly and quickly in high-pressure or emotionally intense situations.
• Ability to work as an individual as well as a team member.
• Ability to be flexible and juggle multiple demands.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Reliable transportation and a working cell phone are required.
• Proficiency in common software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom) and ability to learn client record systems such as EmpowerDB.
• Strong understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trauma-informed care.
• Basic crisis intervention and counseling skills, group facilitation skills.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and working cell phone required.

Working Conditions

This position requires frequent travel between main and satellite offices and occasional work at community partner sites (e.g., hospitals, police departments, court settings). The role may involve occasional evening or weekend hours to meet client or agency needs.

Physical Demands

• Ability to remain in a stationary position (e.g., sitting or standing) for extended periods.
• Ability to operate a computer, telephone, and other office equipment regularly.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds (e.g., outreach materials, supplies).

Reports to: Manager of Residential Services

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions to the extent The Center for Empowerment and Education (CEE) may do so without undue hardship. The term “Qualified individual with a disability” means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person