Job Description Summary:

Job Description:

To provide support, referrals, information and advocacy services to women and their children. To work to safeguard the lives of women and children who have experienced violence in their homes. To educate the community served by the program on the problem and to develop outreach to enhance the accessibility of the program.

The hours of this position will be Tuesdays & Thursdays 4pm - 12am and Saturdays & Sundays 12am - 8am.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds to contacts made by women, assessing their situations, making informed referrals and intake decisions . Explains shelter functions, goals, regulations to incoming women and children and ensures compliance.

• Completes formal intakes with women upon their arrival. Develops a file for each woman and family. Provides individual supportive counseling sessions with women in shelter on an as needed basis.

• Familiarizes self with resources in Middlesex and New London Counties for the women and their children, makes appropriate referrals and maintains current resource listings. Advocates for women within the legal, welfare, housing and medical systems. Acts as a liaison between sheltered women and agencies in the community.

• Facilitates women’s house meetings and/or support groups within the residence and with other departments of the Community Health Center and the Non Violence Alliance. Shares on-call duties with other staff members, either in supportive telephone on-call or direct intervention on-call.

• Attends supervision meetings with the Shelter Manager to develop house policy, review program and resident files. Meets in supervision with the Shelter Manager to discuss individual duties and to review individual performance.

• Works with other groups (CCADV, SACS, DCF, etc) in conjunction with Component Director to educated the public, improve services offered, and to advocate for the rights of battered women and their children. Attends Adult Advocate meetings held by CCADV contingent on scheduled hours.

• Assists in training of volunteers, provides community education and outreach throughout Middlesex and New London counties.

• Complies with agency annual mandatory training requirements, i.e. Working Safely, EOC, etc.

• Responsible for the hotline calls on an as needed basis

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Comprehensive working knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence.

• Commitment to working with women and children severely affected by domestic violence, and a capacity to develop an overall plan for their safety and the preservation of their right to self-determination.

• Effective oral and written communication.

• Certification as a battered women’s counselor, as approved by CCADV.

• CHC requires as a condition of employment current American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer and AED (CPR/FPR/AED) certification. The only acceptable alternative is current American Heart Association BLS/AED for Healthcare Providers certification.

• Knowledge of community resources.

• Employees must have a current driver’s license with a clean driving record at time of hire and throughout employment.

• Associate's degree required, Bachelor's preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• May required rapid physical response, though work is primarily sedentary.

• Because of safety and security threats, this is a stressful position.

• Requires stair climbing.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICIATIONS

This position requires a high degree of communication because workers are not always able to relate and form relationships with women and children who are under severe stress. The Adult Advocate must be able to communicate with New Horizons staff/Community Health Center staff and other agency providers on issues of domestic violence and family issues.

Organization Information:

The Moses/Weitzman Health System is a global leader addressing challenges faced by organizations caring for the poor and diverse populations, and is home to programs focusing on education, research, and process improvement support for safety net providers. The system delivers primary care to more than 150,000 patients in Connecticut, and extends access to specialty care for more than 2.5 million individuals across the U.S. It is a national accrediting body for organizations training advanced practice providers, and offers accredited education and training for Medical Assistants in multiple states. As an incubator for new ideas in areas including social justice, the environment, and social determinants of health, the MWHS is addressing challenges faced by providers caring for underserved communities, creating innovative and impactful initiatives led by nationally and internationally recognized experts. As it forges pathways into the future of primary care, the MWHS honors Lillian Reba Moses (1924-2012), a granddaughter of slaves, and Gerard (Gerry) Weitzman (1938-1999), whose ancestors escaped pogroms in Eastern Europe. Their vision and commitment to justice and equity in healthcare is the foundation upon which the Moses/Weitzman Health System was built.

Location:

Community Based Services Admin

City:

Middletown

State:

Connecticut

Time Type:

Part time

MWHS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.