Co-Response Advocate - DVERT

CORA Co-Response Advocate

DV Emergency Response Team (DVERT)

JOB DESCRIPTION

FULL-TIME and NON-EXEMPT

Reports to: Crisis Support Services Manager

Schedule of Hours: The schedule will cover some weekday and weekend days (for example Tuesday – Saturday work week) and will also have evening hours (for example 11 Am to 7 PM). These schedules will be between CORA and each of the three sites individually.  

Position Remote Eligible: No

Mandated Reporter: Yes 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA), as the only agency in San Mateo County providing crisis intervention and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence and their children, seeks a Client Advocate - DVERT (Co-Response) to provide on-scene crisis response advocacy, safety planning and client case management to those who are victims of Domestic Abuse and have had law enforcement called to their homes.

POSITION SUMMARY

The domestic violence co-responder pilot program (called DVERT – Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team) will embed domestic violence professionals within the North Fair Oaks Sheriff’s Office, and the Daly City and San Mateo police departments. In the event of a domestic violence call for assistance, law enforcement will request the presence of the Co-responder once the home has been deemed safe. The DVERT Client Advocate will then be dispatched to the scene. The goal of the immediate response will include the provision of early and specialized engagement, intervention, guidance, and connection to support services for those involved. The DVERT Client Advocate will provide immediate services to victims-survivors when they are most likely to be receptive and provide limited ongoing advocacy and assistance in navigating court and the filing of restraining orders, public assistance, emergency housing resources, legal procedures, and other resources. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responding to calls from law enforcement in the co-responder’s jurisdiction, provide immediate on-scene crisis response, needs assessment, and safety planning with all victims and their children of domestic violence after the scene is deemed safe. Facilitate access to emergency resources that increase immediate safety.
• Work with law enforcement to ensure all necessary forms are completed to provide victim and child safety following the incident. Complete and file an Emergency Response Program referral as on-site support for law enforcement personnel.  
• Provide crisis counseling, education, and information regarding appropriate internal and external referrals.
• Establish, develop and maintain excellent working relationships with Sheriffs and police officers involved. 
• Provide targeted limited case management and advocacy support to a caseload of clients supported during crisis. This includes accompaniment to file restraining orders or to meet with law enforcement and initial case management to identify and engage with needed mental health, legal, shelter and public resources.
• In coordination with the Manager of Crisis Support Services, evaluate and formulate recommendations to improve systems as needed.
• Provide leadership, training and consultation and implement concrete decision-making strategies to support ongoing collaboration with law enforcement. 
• Complete required documentation and enter data into client database in an accurate and timely manner. Maintain up to date client files, records, and reports, in accordance with program standards.
• Communicate effectively with other members of the Crisis Support Services team and with law enforcement teams in order to ensure the most up-to-date information and appropriate follow-up for potential clients.
• Assist in compiling program statistics, maintenance of filing systems, and development/implementation of new protocols and procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with other departments and outside agencies to ensure successful service delivery and conduct community outreach, as needed, to optimize referral relationships with partner agencies.
• Attend supervision, departmental and agency staff meetings as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bilingual (In one or more of the following Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin/ Cantonese) REQUIRED.
• BA degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in the provision of social services.
• At least 2 years consistent experience as a case manager, or in crisis / hotline response role. Experience with DV/SA preferred. 
• Experience working with law enforcement or similar professions preferred. 
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence required, including completion of 40-hour domestic violence training. Candidates who have not completed the 40 training will be required to do so and are provided this through CORA.
• Familiarity with community-based services in San Mateo County strongly preferred 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Valid CA driver’s license. 
• Background check, including fingerprinting clearance from the Department of Justice
• Demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States
• Willingness to travel to multiple sites within San Mateo County and within the assigned jurisdiction.
• Must be available to work a set schedule, which will include evening hours Monday through Friday, and can include weekends and holidays.

COMPENSATION

CORA offers competitive wages and a strong benefits package including full coverage of employee health care with vision and dental options, 403b retirement plan with 3% match by employer, generous holiday and Paid Time Off support with separate sick leave. 

MANDATED REPORTER STATUS

This position requires you to directly supervise children without the presence of a legal guardian, or is a professionally licensed role that is listed in California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). As a result, you are a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse under CANRA and must become familiar with your obligations and how to carry them out in compliance with other federal and state funding obligations. 

CORA History and Overview

CORA has provided services to survivors of intimate partner abuse for nearly 40 years. Our programs include Crisis Intervention Services, including a 24-hour hotline, collaboration with law enforcement, emergency shelter options, and supportive counseling. Family Support Services provides mental health therapy, supportive/transitional housing, and a children’s program. CORA has robust legal services for survivors of domestic violence and provides educational workshops about the dynamics of domestic violence and healthy relationship skills.

CORA is strengths-based, collaborative, accessible, and client-centered. CORA believes that everyone deserves to be treated with respect in their intimate relationships. We provide safety, support and healing to individuals who experience abuse in an intimate relationship and educate the community to break the cycle of domestic violence. Regardless of a survivor’s race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or culture, we save lives and provide an opportunity to begin again.

CORA inspires work of the highest caliber by fostering staff engagement through transparency and inclusion in agency decisions wherever possible. We strive to ensure our policies and communications reflect an appreciation of the impact of social inequities, historical and current, and actively promote healthy relationships amongst staff by demonstrating mutual respect in all our communications.

CORA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We seek diversity with respect to race, color, age, sex, (including breastfeeding and medical conditions related to breastfeeding), religion (including religious dress or grooming practices), national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic characteristics and information, ancestry, marital status, family status, political belief, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), medical condition, military, or veteran status or any other category or status protected by Federal, State or other applicable laws.

All applicants are welcome. Individuals who are bilingual, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and/or survivors of domestic violence are strongly encouraged to apply. The position will remain open until filled.