Job Information
Family & Community Services, Inc. Legal/Outreach Advocate - Safer Futures, Portage County - Full-Time in Kent, Ohio
Job Type
Full-time
Kent, OH • Safer Futures (Portage County)
Description
Legal/Outreach Advocate
Full-Time
$16/hour
*SCHEDULE: * (Determined on a case by case basis) 40 hours per week, some on- call hours
*GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: *Responsible for overseeing the Outreach Legal Advocacy program and
providing direct supervision to legal advocate assistants, reports progress and concerns to
Director of Domestic Violence & Visitation Services and assists with concerns from clients serviced
through the program.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Collaborates with the Courts, Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Legal Services, Hospitals, Safer
Futures, and other Social Service Agencies toward the minimization of domestic violence.
Oversees planning, case reviews and program goal achievement when necessary.
Responsible for creating and maintaining a positive program image in the community.
Responsible for the evaluation and continual improvement of program services and activities.
Complies with agency policies and procedures, COA regulations, federal and state requirements
and educational/certification/registry requirements.
- Accepts referrals from area Criminal Justice Providers to interact with victims of violent
crime, and then conducts professional and confidential intakes and assessments, including Civil
Protection Order assistance.
- May meet with clients at a safe location for early crisis intervention and discussion of the
clients options
- Oversees the attendance of court hearings with legal advocacy clients to explain procedures and
support decisions.
• Works directly with Domestic Relations and Common Pleas General division courts
• Attends Ex-parte hearings and Full-hearings to help client to obtain a Civil Protection order in
Domestic Relations Court or Anti-Stalking Orders in Common Pleas court
• May also aid in the preparation of Victim's Compensation Claim paperwork
- Prepares and delivers presentations to other service providers to increase skill levels and
maintain cooperation.
- Promotes Model Ohio Protocol for responding to domestic violence by which Ohio communities can
reduce the incidents of domestic violence and help victims escape abuse.
- Oversees the maintenance of client files and records confidentially and reports statistics to
appropriate persons
Provides follow-up with client and service providers as needed.
Reports to Advisory Board/supervisor monthly to give and receive input about the position.
Models awareness and behavior needed for growth and development.
Fulfills other duties as assigned.
Complies with agency policies and procedures, COA regulations, federal and state requirements,
and educational/certification/registry requirements.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in social work or related field and/or 2 years minimum experience working with victims
Knowledge of Client centered model of crisis intervention skills, and ability to teach crisis intervention.
Ability to model open communication and work in team structure
Understanding of domestic violence, in the family and in the larger society.
Valid Ohio Driver's License and ability to meet agency requirements for driving insurability.
Must be able to meet agency requirements for criminal back ground check (Ohio Bureau of Criminal