Victim AdvocateAt — Human Services Association
A Victim Advocate's goal is to provide advocacy by navigating the justice system and connecting survivors of victimization with resources. The Victim Advocate will be working through the Domestic Violence Housing Program to assist survivors of domestic violence who are experiencing homelessness with linkages to housing and assist with removing barriers to self-sufficiency. And, the victim advocate will provide advocacy to any client who has a current court case open by assisting with understanding the legal proceedings. Interns are never left alone with any adolescents or adults.
\n
Tasks:
\n
Under consistent supervision, the student will be answering hotline and warmline calls that come into our agency, responding to requests for domestic violence and child abuse
services.
The student will receive training in how to attend to a crisis by shadowing and having a victim advocate present.
The student will participate in an orientation day where they will receive information about the agency's programs.
The supervisor will discuss various projects where the student can assist, such as compiling resources and ensuring that phone numbers are up to date, as well as brainstorming ideas and events for the upcoming
holidays and/or other activities.
The student will develop public speaking skills by creating a PowerPoint presentation on a relevant topic to present in a group setting, either to children.
or adults.
The student will learn agency policies and procedures
through weekly supervision meetings. During these
sessions, the student will review the agency handbook,
which outlines key expectations and protocols
Client communication training-role-play sessions to
practice communication and shadow Victim advocate
during client calls.
Making client calls-conduct calls with client to inform
them about the closure of their services.
Chart Organization with open and closed charts.
Data Entry in Apricot- receive training on using Apricot
system
\n
Training:
\n
General Orientation
Weekly one-hour supervisor
Job Shadowing
Safety Planning
Victim Advocate Training
Sexual Harassment Training
Mandated Reporting Training
Provide resources to crisis hotline/warmline
How to follow up with client's and close charts
Group Facilitator Training
Event Planning for Victims of Domestic Violence
\n
Learning Outcome:
\n
1. The student will learn the role of a victim advocate by attending to crisis calls for those seeking services. And understand the population of being served.
2. The student will gain knowledge of the issues being addressed through the domestic violence housing first program.
3. The Student will learn about the community resources
that are available and take the initiative in connecting clients to services.
4. The student will develop public speaking by providing a PowerPoint presentation to the clients served during a group setting.
5. The Student will learn agency policy and procedures, and be able to enter information through the agency data collection platform (Apricot).
6. The student will Implement organizational strategies for managing
client charts and apply confidentiality and compliance standards in chart management.