Client Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Client Advocate – Housing and Safe House

Position Description

Status : FT Hourly

Reports To: Residential Program Coordinator

Schedule of Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM

Possible Percentage of Work from Home: 95% onsite

Mandated Reporter: Yes

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

As the only agency in San Mateo County with the sole purpose of serving those experiencing intimate partner abuse, CORA provides safety, support and healing. CORA’s comprehensive services for clients include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, legal services and counseling. In addition, CORA provides community education and prevention programming throughout the county. CORA is a multicultural agency committed to serving individuals, regardless of age, ethnicity, race, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, financial status, language, mental or physical ability.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Client Advocate ensures a safe and welcoming environment while providing crisis intervention, case management, and individual and group supportive services to clients residing in CORA’s confidential safe house and in CORA’s rental assistance programming. All services are provided within the context of a trauma-informed approach and in conjunction with community partners and other CORA departments. This position requires onsite presence and support to residents at the safe house located in San Mateo County. Some work may be conducted at the CORA Community Office in San Mateo.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITIES

• Conduct screenings, assessments and crisis case management for survivors of Domestic Violence who are referred to the Safe House program and the Supportive Housing program.
• Support the immediate needs of residents at the safe house, including offering crisis response, safety planning, emotional support, conflict resolution and de-escalation intervention to clients as needed.
• Facilitate psychoeducational groups, resident meetings and offer education and information regarding appropriate internal and external referrals to clients.
• Provide targeted case management and advocacy support to individuals and families with a focus on housing stability and self-sufficiency.
• Proactively link clients to both internal and external resources based on their individual needs, walk families through the referral process as needed (including accompaniment to services), and follow-up on the progress/status of the complete referral process.
• Develop individualized service plans for safe house residents and monitor them in partnership with residents to ensure a successful placement and outcome of safe house stay.
• Collaborate effectively with other departments and outside agencies to ensure successful service delivery.
• Provide accompaniment and/or transportation to client appointments, as needed.
• Provide brief child supervision on an as needed basis.
• Maintain safety and cleanliness of the site, including room turnover, general housekeeping duties, and office cleanliness and report any facility/ maintenance issues to the facilities team.
• Train, supervise, and schedule volunteers to support service delivery.
• Complete the required documentation and enter data into client database in an accurate and timely manner. Maintain up to date client files, records, and reports, in accordance with program standards.
• Assist in compiling program statistics, maintenance of filing systems, and development/implementation of new protocols and procedures.
• Participate in community partner meetings and outreach activities as needed.
• Attend supervision, departmental and agency staff meetings as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in working directly with clients, providing case management support, and working in residential settings preferred.
• Familiarity and ability to use Microsoft office suite required. Ability to use a database and learn new software.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Portuguese, or other languages common to the general community served strongly preferred,
• Experience in domestic violence related work or general social services.
• BA degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience in the provision of related social services.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Successful results upon hire from a DOJ Live Scan fingerprint clearance are required
• Completion of the 40 Hour Training – required and will be provided to the successful applicant upon hire if not already completed within the last 5 years.
• Driver’s License and active insurance required.
• Demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States.

MANDATED REPORTER STATUS

This position requires you to work with children, and your profession qualifies you as “mandated reporters” of child abuse or neglect, which is found in California Penal Code Section 11165.7. You are required to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect pursuant to California Penal Code Section 11166.5.

EEO STATEMENT

CORA inspires work of the highest caliber by fostering staff engagement through transparency and inclusion in agency decisions wherever possible. We believe that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion as organizational values is a way to intentionally make space for positive outcomes to flourish for our clients and our community. We strive to ensure our policies and communications reflect an appreciation of the impact of social inequities and actively promote healthy relationships among staff by demonstrating mutual respect in all our communications. CORA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We seek diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, sex, (including breastfeeding and medical conditions related to breastfeeding), religion (including religious dress or grooming practices), national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic characteristics and information, ancestry, marital status, family status, political belief, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), medical condition, military, or veteran status or any other category or status protected by Federal, State or other applicable laws.

All applicants are welcome. The position will remain open until filled.