Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis, Inc.

Position Title:    

Housing Intern Advocate

Basic Functions:

Assist with and manage multi-faceted housing programs for women/men and their children under the agency’s philosophy of empowerment and self-determination. 

Case management, using a housing first approach, will include trauma-informed, survivor-centered approaches to housing stabilization, rebuilding self-esteem, develop essential life skills, and establish financial independence by supporting their goals to increase income and self-sufficiency. Additionally, as is required in state standards and best-practice models, domestic violence advocates will provide survivors and their children with counseling, risk assessment, safety planning, goal setting, resources and referrals to other support services.

Reports To:

The Housing Intern Advocate is supervised by the Director of Programs and ultimately accountable to the Executive Director.

Schedule:

Student and Agency Determined

Hours per Week:

School Determined

Areas of Responsibility

Training and Professional Development

• Attend local CAN meetings
• Maintain DV certification by receiving not less than six hours of in-service training in issues related to working with survivors of domestic violence / human trafficking
• Attend weekly house meeting to determine best housing program for the clients and budget for programs

Rapid Rehousing Program

• Digital & Physical File Maintenace
• Assist with finding housing leads

·         Budget and Income Review Case Conference with Client and Case Manager

·         Warm Handoff to other Rapid Rehousing Program with Case Manager

• Attend CCADV trainings and workshops related to housing and Rapid Rehousing

·         Double Check Stats and ETO entries

• Document all client and program data into HMIS comparable database (Empower) within 48 hours of contact.

·         Complete Recommendations to Advocates and Case Managers

•  Home visiting, safety permitting, at recertification time, with assigned Rapid Rehousing Advocate and each survivor enrolled in the program and

• Other duties as assigned.

Sheter Housing

·         Provide information and applications for CAN, Section 8, and Housing Authorities

·         Complete Housing Assessment and Housing Referral

·         Assess and complete for referrals for TLP ours and others

·         Safety Planning

·         Offer and Complete Address Confidentiality

Transitional Living Program

·         Provide case management and support services to all program residents a minimum of bi-weekly

·         Engage clients in the process of goal setting; review progress in accordance with program philosophy of empowerment and self-determination

General

·         Facilitate Economic Empowerment Program- Purple Purse

·         Attend House Meeting and hold info sessions

·         Attend and participate in regular meetings called by MWC, CCADV and other meetings as necessary, including training programs

·         Must uphold privileged communication of clients and all responsibilities of mandatory reporting

·         Maintain vacant transitional living program rooms for immediate occupancy

·         Other duties as assigned by the Program Director or Executive Director

Qualifications (will be met through training)

·         Comprehensive working knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence

·         Commitment to working with domestic violence victims to develop a plan for their safety and preserve their right to self-determination

·         Comprehensive knowledge of the court system, both civil and criminal, as it relates to domestic violence issues and laws affecting domestic violence victims

·         Effective oral and written communication skills

·         Ability to gather, consolidate and present client information through interviews

·         Knowledge of community resources

·         Ability to work effectively with both traditional and non-traditional systems

·         Must obtain and maintain certification as battered women’s counselor, as per CGS 52-146k

Special Requirements

This position requires some local travel.  A valid driver’s license and current certificate of insurance is required for personnel who may travel in their scope of service to Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis.  Criminal, Department of Children and Families and Department of Motor Vehicles background checks are required for all staff to confirm suitability for employment.