Sojourner House
Location: Providence, RI
Salary: $20 to $22 per hour, based on experience
Start Date: 09/12/2022
Full Time, Permanent
Spanish Proficiency Preferred
Job Description
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Job Title: Domestic Violence Coordinated Assessment Referral and Engagement (CARE) Advocate
Job Location: Providence Housing Office
Reports to: CARE (Coordinated Assessment, Referral, and Engagement) Manager
Salary: $20 to $22 an hour, depending on experience, with benefits that include health/dental insurance, paid holidays, accrued vacation/sick/personal time, an Employee Assistance Plan, and a 401(k) plan.
Position Status: Full-time (37.5 hours per week);
ABOUT US: Sojourner House is a comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault agency that provides residential, educational, and community-based interventions to families and individuals impacted by abuse. We have offices in Providence and Woonsocket, and programs that operate statewide. Our goal is to help our clients rebuild their lives, piece by piece, through a variety of services. All of our programs work from the premise that violence is an unacceptable means to solving interpersonal conflict, and we encourage only non-violent methods of working out conflicts.
BASIC FUNCTION: Responsible for coordinating the Domestic Violence Coordinated Entry System (CES) along with RI Coalition to End Homelessness (RICEH) to aid survivors and victims of domestic violence. Working with the Housing Team and Sojourner House as a whole, the DV CARE Coordinator will provide direct services to survivors, domestic violence agencies, social service agencies and other partners to provide services, technical support, and information and referral to help change systems to make housing and shelter more accessible and trauma informed for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Manage Diversion Advocates and Housing Navigators
PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES:
• Using evidence-based practices, the Coordinator will design, implement, and oversee the RI Coalition to End Homelessness’s domestic violence CES program.
• Communicate program scope, work plan, risks/issues, progress, and status to leadership, service providers, the RI Continuum of Care, and Sojourner House team members. Receive and incorporate feedback.
• Provide comprehensive reporting to CoC and funders regarding program outcomes, placements, and referrals.
• Support the CoC in developing CES policies and procedures related to domestic violence and this program, ensuring they are adopted and maintained effectively.
• Communication and information sharing regarding trends, news, and policies in the domestic violence sectors, sharing to audiences as appropriate.
• Provide technical assistance and subject matter expertise to service providers and domestic violence stakeholders in pursuit of Coalition goals in CES work.
• Facilitate and plan meetings and committees for the domestic violence CES program (e.g. case conferencing, startup sessions, etc.).
• Coordinate and partner with domestic violence service providers, survivors, partners, and the RI-CoC to implement and operate the program.
• Ensure that domestic violence survivors are actively engaged in all parts of program design and implementation, centering the work in their voices and needs.
• Troubleshoot issues that arise between and among domestic violence service providers, state departments, and CoC committees regarding CES.
• Help create opportunities for feedback throughout the process through surveys and input sessions to gain survivor and provider input.
• Work with partners to oversee a uniform and coordinated referral process for all beds, units, and services available based on the prioritization and assessment data collected.
• Provide training and technical assistance to call center agents on best practices and policies regarding call handling for survivors of domestic violence.
• Staff domestic violence case conferencing committee.
• Work with partners to evaluate anonymity and accuracy of the placement lists.
• Support service providers in ensuring documentation meets domestic violence safety requirements and is accurate/complete to support swift entry into housing.
• Coordinate with the service providers working with the top scoring individuals and families on a regular basis, to ensure continuous progress towards housing for clients.
• Support a person-centered referral process that honors participant choice in decisions such as location and type of housing, level and type of services, and other project characteristics.
• Oversee the internal Sojourner House CES Housing and Shelter list
• Answer phone calls, conduct intakes of new clients, and provide referrals and information to potential housing and shelter clients.
• Complete data entry and submit necessary reports as required for grant compliance.
• Stay abreast of RI community housing and shelter issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in Providence, northern Rhode Island, and throughout the state.
• Prepare and deliver community presentations in Rhode Island on issues related to domestic violence and housing when requested.
• Support Sojourner House’s philosophy of client empowerment and respect for individual choices.
• Work as necessary with other residential advocates and the Volunteer Coordinator to help supervise volunteers.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Sojourner House management team.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology or related field preferred
EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL SKILLS:
• A minimum of two to three years’ experience in human or social services
• Familiarity with domestic violence and/or gender issues
• Must be organized and demonstrate superior leadership skills
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, and general Internet skills)
• Familiarity working with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds
• Experience developing and delivering community presentations
• A demonstrated familiarity with LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and/or substance abuse populations
• Access to a vehicle in order to facilitate traveling between the agency’s multiple locations
• Comfort working individually and in teams
• Innovative thinking to approaching issues of poverty and service delivery
• Familiarity with social service services in Rhode Island
• Applicant must pass a BCI check
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including one night a week and occasionally one weekend day.
COVID Policy Notice: Sojourner House has mandated that its employees obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible employees may request an exemption from this policy for medical or religious accommodation reasons by working with our Human Resources Department.
How to Apply
TO APPLY: Please send a resume, cover letter, and list of 3 professional references to resumes@sojournerri.org with the subject line “DV CARE Advocate” or by mail to Sojourner House, Attn: HR Department, 386 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. No phone calls, please.
Sojourner House is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. To learn more about Sojourner House, please visit www.sojournerri.org.