Latinx Victims Advocate

Job Title: Latinx Victims Advocate    

Reports to: Mental Health Team Coordinator    

Job Summary: This position is a full-time position at La Casita Center and is part of the Mental Health Team.  This team works together to carry out the mission by welcoming accompaniments into the La Casita circle, providing an introduction to holistic services, working cohesively with other La Casita teams and community partners to ensure the well being of accompaniments is enhanced. Under the supervision of the Mental Health Team Coordinator, the Latinx Victim Advocate is responsible for providing  advocacy-based counseling and case management services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, trafficking, and stalking.  The Advocate will carry a caseload of clients and must be able to respond appropriately to a diverse range of survivors healing from trauma. The Advocate will effectively implement trauma-informed practices and utilize an empowerment  model to support clients in achieving survivor-defined goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Advocacy

• Provide collaboration/liaison between agency, clients and community.  
• The Victim Advocate will assess the victims needs and work with community partners to refer victims to resources as needed. 
• Provide case management, counseling, crisis intervention, safety planning, support services to victims of domestic violence, child  abuse, sexual assault, and other violent crimes.  
• Facilitate support groups as appropriate in collaboration with community partners.
• Provide support to victims navigating the criminal/civil justice system (accompaniment applying for DVO, restitution, support creating impact statements, etc.)  
• Comply with State reporting of abuse and neglect.  

Outreach/Accompaniment

• Support accompaniments over the phone or/and walk in through case management 
• Assess and evaluate individuals in crisis when needed, provide verbal de-escalation, and connect them with support
• Provide culturally competent accompaniment and community resources to individuals seeking direct services to include but not limited to: social services and case management
• Ensures confidentiality of accompaniments and records of services given at the center

• Collaborates with Community Liaisons regarding accompaniment to seek support and guidance
• Participates in Community Events held at La Casita including Consulate events
• Participate in tabling and outreach events in the community 

Administrative

• Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation of client service plans and case notes in Client Track.
• Maintains statistics and reports in a timely manner
• Research resources and services related to victims advocacy that meet the needs of the community we serve
• Support the creation of protocols for daily accompaniment activities related to victims advocacy

Other Duties

• Perform other job duties as assigned
• Provide support during Encuentros and Fundraising events(not covered by VOCA funds)

Responsibilities include 

• Commitment to the Acuerdos of the Latina Women’s Movement 
• Attendance at weekly Staff, Community Liaison and Mental Health team meetings
• Respond to communications promptly during regular business hours
• Report to La Casita Team Support during check-ins as scheduled
• Attend and collaborate during weekly community liaison meetings
• Support in creating an intentional work culture of transparency, radical hospitality, and commitment to dismantling systemic oppression such as, but not limited to white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism
• Be mindful that as a team member of La Casita Center they are seen as representative of the organization at all times, in physical and digital spaces
• Assistance in maintaining La Casita Center space and regular office hours
• Work on the weekend as needed
• Maintain confidentiality

Required Skills/Abilities:

Excellent organizational skills

Time management skills

Capacity to multitask and prioritize tasks 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s or Masters Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or related field

A minimum of 2 years of experience working with survivors of gender-based violence in a counseling setting preferred Knowledge of trauma-informed care and crisis intervention techniques

Fluency in Spanish and English languages required

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Ability to work in a highly stressful environment 

Commitment To Inclusivity, Equity, And Representation

La Casita Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff, board, and volunteer base reflective of the communities we serve and that enhances our ability to create a vibrant environment where all members of the community thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants (including individuals who were formerly detained, undocumented, or who have navigated the immigration legal system), women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBT community, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

It is the policy of La Casita Center to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. La Casita is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. La Casita does not discriminate on the basis of class, race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. Excepting any undue hardship, La Casita will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.