Job Title: MISAW Individual and Group Supportive Services Advocate (M-IGSSA)
Department: Individual and Group Supportive Services
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Part-time
Approved Date: 05/2009
SUMMARY
The Michigan Interagency Support for Asian/All Women (MISAW) is a pilot project among Serenity Services, New Visions: Alliance
Under the supervision of the CEO, the M-IGSSA is responsible for providing services to assigned API domestic violence/sexual assault victims and working with other domestic violence/sexual assault agencies to coordinate culturally appropriate services. Responsibilities include direct service provision, coordination and development of the project, and being a resource person to existing domestic violence/sexual assault agencies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Client-Centered Activities:
- Conduct intake and initial assessments with clients at Serenity Services.
- Meet crisis intervention needs of clients at Serenity Services.
- Implement a safety and crisis plan together with client involvement, providing needed resource information, referrals, advocacy, and/or other assistance as is appropriate.
- Make referrals, provide accompaniment, and advocate for connection to legal, public assistance, immigration, medical/dental services and community resources such as school, trainings, job programs, housing, counseling, etc.
- Coordinate and provide language access and cultural support with on-call advocates as needed.
- Follow through by maintaining ongoing contact with clients as necessary.
- Work with domestic violence program staff at HAVEN to provide advocacy, support, and crisis intervention/counseling to API women, including assessment, identifying needs, and development of options and action plan. Direct case management services to API women will be informed by and in consultation with other domestic violence advocates working at HAVEN.
- Refer participants to work with other IGSS staff as needed to maintain self-sufficiency.
- Work together with other program staff to ensure that each program participant is maintaining progress.
- As needed, provide coverage for other program services.
Coordinate, Maintain, and Develop MISAW project:
- Work closely with MISAW Work Group to maintain, coordinate, develop, and evaluate all aspects of the MISAW project.
- Convene and facilitate bi-monthly MISAW Work Group meeting and other meetings, as needed.
- Ensure organizational accountability of each collaborating organization of MISAW project by maintaining open communication with other staff members and MISAW Work Groups regarding any concerns, problems, and needs identified in project development and implementation.
- Support and coordinate professional and organizational development trainings for domestic violence programs including Serenity Services and HAVEN.
- Compile and maintain appropriate/accurate documentation and files for each case assigned as may be required by the agency including program statistics, assessments, progress notes, and timely reporting of monthly, quarterly, and annual progress of clients and other MISAW project-related work in a timely manner, meeting all deadlines.
- Actively seek funding opportunities to support and expand the MISAW pilot project.
- Recruit and train MISAW volunteers for both Serenity Services and HAVEN and supervise volunteers, as assigned.
- Establish and maintain resource and referral network especially in the Asian communities of
Southeast Michigan
- Develop resource materials to assist domestic violence program staff at HAVEN and Serenity Services in providing services to API survivors of domestic violence.
- Develop resource and outreach materials to enhance the visibility of MISAW project among API communities of
Southeast Michigan
- Participate in community activities specifically in API communities to promote the MISAW project and reach out to API communities as well as in agency and program promotion in general.
Administrative Activities:
- Abide by Serenity Services’ and HAVEN’s policies, procedures, contracts, rules and regulations.
- Assist the CEO in development of policies, procedures and evaluation for IGSS department.
- Collaborate with program staff to assess needs, patterns, and issues of the community and target population served by the shelter.
- Assist in management of program budget, as requested.
Documentation:
- Follow proper procedures for case files, case openings, closings, transfers, and reopening.
Intra-Agency Relations:
- Participate actively and constructively as a member of the SS staff, especially in all-staff and program meetings, and in problem-solving between staff members.
- Attend and actively participant in regular scheduled team meetings to address program issues, development, and concerns.
- Meet as scheduled with IGSS Advocates for participants to discuss issues and progress.
- Work collaboratively with all program staff to ensure that participant’s needs are met and to enable them to make progress toward their goals.
Inter-Agency Relations:
- Help develop and nurture strong relationships with other agencies through visits, phone calls, and referrals in order to ensure client access to needed services.
32. Participate in community task forces, coalitions, and other organizations addressing issues of concern to SS's target population.
- Represent SS in a professional and positive manner at all times.
- Stay updated on the community resources.
Supervision Given/Received:
35. Participate actively in individual supervision with supervisor.
Professional Growth and Development:
36. Work toward progress in the area of professional development through attendance at in-service trainings, and take initiative to seek training opportunities in areas in which skills need strengthening.
Other Duties as Assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires someone with high energy and sensitivity to the survivors and children she will be working with, and a commitment to issues concerning domestic violence in Asian communities.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Job-Related Background and Preparations:
1. Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in social work, human service area, or related field or equivalent experience.
2. Experience providing care, advocacy, and support to survivors of domestic violence.
3. Experience in working with API survivors of domestic violence, a plus.
4. Experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation.
5. Experience with and knowledge of individual counseling, case management and family work.
6. Experience working with and knowledge of homeless families or survivors of domestic violence.
7. Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
8. Excellent skills in client intervention, assessment and documentation.
9. Familiarity with Detroit
10. Experience and comfort with outreach work, i.e., traveling to meet with clients in their homes.
11. Ability to speak one or more Asian language.
12. Knowledge of and sensitivity to ethnic diversity within Asian communities.
General Qualifications:
- Flexibility, reliability, and consistency in job performance.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as networking skills.
- Ability to work as an effective team member within a community-based organization.
- High level of maturity and personal stability; capable of setting limits, and of effective, organized follow-through.
- Ability to handle crisis situations, maintain confidentiality, and tolerate stress professionally.
- Ability to make appropriate and sound judgment in decision making.
- Knowledge of computer word processing programs including experience with data-entry and MS-Word. Experience with database programs is helpful.
- Excellent skills in goal and objective planning and implementation, and problem-solving.
- Willingness and ability to maintain a flexible schedule and handle multiple tasks.
- Ability to work well with a variety of people -- including staff, interns, volunteers, MISAW Work Group, and others in different organizations (e.g., social services, health care, community-based organizations, etc.).
- Valid Michigan Driver’s license, good driving record and access to personal vehicle.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Regular local driving required as part of program services.
- Moderate lifting of program supplies and donations required on an occasional basis. (marginal responsibility)
The position is available immediately. Resumes can be faxed to the attention of Larmender Davis at 313.267.9522 or emailed to serenityservices1@sbcglobal.net
*Job description revised 05/2009
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