Sr. SAFEPLAN Advocate, SC

Scope of Work

The primary objective of the SE Sr. SAFEPLAN Advocate is to assist survivors of domestic violence who are seeking help from the judicial system at area courthouses in the southeastern Massachusetts location. The role of the advocate is to provide safety planning, information about the law, and referral services to survivors. The SE Sr. Advocate position will provide supervision to area SAFEPLAN advocates and assist with the management functions of the program. They may also be asked to assist with other duties pertaining to MOVA and/or SAFEPLAN. This is also a floating position, as the Sr. Advocate will be expected to float to any of the 8 contracted courts to help provide coverage when needed.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist survivors of domestic violence who come to court seeking protective orders by:
  • Providing crisis assessment and intervention
  • Assisting survivors in completing protective order application forms
  • Providing information for survivors on legal options and the process to obtain a protective order
• Screen potential clients for appropriateness and eligibility to receive SAFEPLAN services
• Conduct comprehensive safety planning for survivors and their children that is individualized for each client and consists of ways for the client to remain safe in different situations
• Accompany and advocate for survivors in court during civil proceedings
• Make referrals and connections for appropriate follow-ups to domestic violence services, other social service programs and the District Attorney’s office as necessary including counseling, group support, legal services or District Attorney Victim Witness Advocates
• Work with MOVA and court/criminal justice personnel to improve services to survivors
• Maintain appropriate and professional boundaries with individuals receiving SAFEPLAN services
• Establish professional and collaborative working relationships with court personnel and others including, but not limited to, clerks, judges, attorneys, prosecutors, security officers and victim witness advocates
• Exercise empathetic and active listening skills
• Work under the empowerment model to inform survivors of their rights and options as a survivor of domestic violence
• Discuss the dynamics of abuse with survivors of domestic violence
• Make follow-up calls to clients and on behalf of clients to referral sources and at times follow up with law enforcement to verify that protective orders have been served
• Adhere to confidentiality policies, recordkeeping and SAFEPLAN Program Guidelines/statistical reporting, and ensure your staff are adhering to the same guidelines
• Be knowledgeable of changes in local, state, and national law as well as legislative issues relating to the provision of assistance to survivors facing court processes and provide training and support to SAFEPLAN volunteers
• Assist in the hiring, training and supervision of New Hope SAFEPLAN Advocates
• Provide reflective, case-oriented supervision
• Assist in maintaining database records for the programs and the creation and submission of required reports
• Organize and plan group advocate meetings, team building events individually by county and with other program managers
• Participate in management trainings and continuing education trainings. Also work with other agency managers to provide a smooth delivery of services
• Perform other related tasks as requested by the Senior SAFEPLAN Advocate, Senior Management, or funders
• Act as backup to all SE and SC courts, which includes physical coverage as needed

Benefits

• Dental
• Insurance.
• Employee assistance program
• Health Insurance
• Life insurance
• PTO
• Vision insurance
• 35-hour work schedule

• English- required.
• Spanish, Portuguese, or other language desirable.