Case Manager, Safehouse Program (Domestic and Sexual Violence) - Bilingual Preferred

About The Organization:

Doorways is an Arlington-based non-profit agency helping individuals and families create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. We envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, abilities, language, or national origin. We see a future without homelessness or domestic and sexual violence.

Doorways began in 1978 when a group of concerned community members saw there was no safe place in Arlington for families in crisis. What began then with one shelter and one response has grown into a series of pathways individually tailored for adults, youth, and children seeking safety and shelter. From immediate crisis intervention to counseling, housing, and employment support, we offer real options and multiple pathways for people of all ages and genders—women, men, youth, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Program Summary:

The Doorways’ Domestic Violence Safehouse program is the only domestic violence shelter in Arlington County.  The shelter is comprised of a congregate facility, a safe kennel, and a series of safe apartments (non-congregate), in confidential locations throughout the community.  The Safehouse program provides a safe, temporary home to those who are escaping imminent danger and offers wraparound services to adults and children. These services include safety planning, housing-focused case management rooted in trauma informed care, strengths-based motivational interviewing, harm reduction, referrals to other programs in the community, and other needs specifically identified by each household.  The Doorways Domestic Violence Safehouse is more than just a place to find shelter from domestic violence. These wraparound services enable individuals and families to begin a new life of stability, dignity, and self-sufficiency.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Safehouse Program Manager, the Case Manager, works directly with survivors and their children who are in Doorways’ Safehouse program/shelter. The position provides crisis intervention, safety planning, goal planning, and trauma-informed counseling to shelter residents.  The Case Manager provides ongoing assessment, referrals, and supportive services to Doorways clients enrolled in Doorways Safehouse shelter with the goal of accomplishing stated program objectives with survivors. 

This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and requires reliable personal transportation, flexible working hours including evenings and occasional weekends and holidays.  This position is included in the Doorways’ on-call Tier response team, which will require 24/7 availability on a rotating schedule.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide culturally responsive crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and supportive counseling using trauma-informed practices to survivors of IPV in a shelter setting.
• Help survivors in shelter establish and fulfill goal plans that enable them to heal from trauma, establish safety, find housing stability, and move towards self-sufficiency.
• Serve as clients’ primary in-shelter source of mental health and therapeutic case management support; leads collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of providers, including a Housing Locator and Advocate, Financial Counselors, Children’s Services Counselors, and Shelter Home Coordinators.
• Ensure regular on-going sessions are conducted with survivors; educate survivors on the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault; facilitate individual and group meetings with survivors; assist survivors in understanding of the natural responses to trauma and of healthy coping skills; assist survivors in adapting to a communal living environment focusing on a culture of inclusion and respect; provide conflict resolution and crisis intervention to survivors when necessary.
• Refer clients to other community programs for additional services (such as legal assistance, medical care, and treatment for serious mental illness and substance abuse) and collaborate with community partners to ensure client needs are met.
• Provide quality client services that are survivor-centered, trauma-informed and compliant with program requirements.
• Develop and maintain a resource network for referrals as related to the needs of the DV survivors being served in the Safehouse.
• Coordinate admissions and discharge processes. Act as a liaison with agencies responsible for referring survivors in imminent danger.
• Actively participate in all Safehouse Team meetings.
• Actively participate in relevant Case Coordination Meetings (CCM) involving staff across Doorways Client Services Team.
• Organize events for Safehouse clients to promote client engagement, education, and empowerment.
• Complete required documentation and enter data into client database in an accurate and timely manner.

Agency Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate alignment with Doorways’ core values and mission.
• Attend agency and/or other service provider meetings, as required.
• Represent the DSV program at various community events as requested.
• Compile and report relevant data and statistics as necessary.
• Maintain current industry knowledge and best practices.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Successful completion of a CPS Check.
• Successful completion of Criminal Background Check.
• Successful completion of Sex Offender Check.
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures.

Knowledge and Skills Needed:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or related field required. Master’s degree in social work or counseling preferred.
• 1+ years relevant practice experience working in domestic/sexual violence/IPV field.
• Knowledge and experience in trauma-informed Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) practices preferred.
• 3+ years of relevant experience working in social services and mental health fields.
• Thorough knowledge of domestic violence and sexual assault; direct experience working in the human services field with families affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft suite.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Possess a high level of interpersonal relationship skills.
• Must be comfortable working in an environment where it is necessary to process the past and present trauma endured by survivors.
• Ability to educate and empower victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault who are from diverse backgrounds and who face additional barriers such as: PTSD, substance abuse, poverty, mental illness, unemployment, and physical disabilities.
• Must demonstrate an acceptance and respect for cultural diversity in all its forms, including ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, and religious backgrounds and an ability to work collaboratively in an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse environment.
• Access to a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and proof of automobile insurance. 

Compensation: 

• Salary range is $55,000 to $57,000 annually.
• Excellent benefits – health/dental/vision, life, LTD, 403(b), etc.

Doorways is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

People of color, women, LGBTQIA+ candidates, and people of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Doorways is committed to a diverse workplace and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.

All staff at Doorways are expected to operate from a survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and equity approach.  We believe that people, including underserved populations, must have access to needed services.  Continuous application of Doorways values are integral in every position at Doorways.