Under the direction and supervision of the Advocacy Services and Continuous Quality Improvement Director, the L.I.F.E. Advocate is responsible for assisting both shelter-based and community-based clients with developing safety and survival strategies in the aftermath of domestic and/or sexual violence. Advocates work to gain access to systems that might be resistant to the needs and demands of victims, or that might be complicated to navigate in the wake of violence and abuse.

The guiding principles of this position are defined within the framework of woman-defined advocacy and respect for the individual woman’s needs and goals.

This position reports directly to the Advocacy Services and Continuous Quality Improvement Director.

Responsibilities

• Advocates for and/or on behalf of survivors in various systems that are external to Turning Point services, including but not limited to: social services, health and medical, housing, parenting, financial assistance, and mental health.
• Provides accompaniment, transportation, and assistance to victims related to meetings, appointments, and other off-site needs.
• Provides training assistance for staff, volunteers, and community members as requested or required.
• Holds weekly meetings with clients to set goals, create budgets, and make referrals.
• Meets with their direct supervisor weekly for case review.
• Maintains client calendars, complete advocacy checklists, and funding requests.
• Facilitates supports groups.

General Responsibilities:

• Adherence to policies and procedures written in the Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Maintain accurate documentation through Progress Notes, releases, and ensure that files are kept up to date.
• Responsible for respecting a client’s right to confidentiality by maintaining proper releases, keeping doors closed during meetings/phone calls when discussing sensitive information, and refraining from discussing client’s cases with those for whom we do not have releases.
• Provides intake and exit services as required.
• Provides shelter and hotline coverage as needed.
• Serves as an on-call advocate in the standard on-call rotation as required.
• Maintains case files, progress notes, action plans, and follow-up plans.
• Provide statistical information as required.
• This position will be required to work a varied schedule to include some nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Protects client/survivor and staff and shelter location confidentiality as per MO Revised Statute 455.220.
• Perform other duties as required and requested.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and three years’ experience working with survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, preferably within the emergency domestic violence shelter system.
• Sensitivity to the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence.
• An understanding of woman-defined advocacy.
• Ability to work with people of diverse characteristics including, but not limited to, a variety of ethnic, racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds and nontraditional sexual orientations and gender identities.
• The capacity to remain calm and patient under stressful conditions.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• A valid and current Missouri Driver’s License and insurance. Must have, or secure within thirty (30) days of employment, a Class E Missouri Driver’s License.
• Ability to pass a criminal background and child abuse and neglect check.