Direct Service Advocate_HYPP_3rd_FT

Department: Holyoke Youth Parent Program

Reports To: Site Director 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Starting Rate: $21.00/hour

Schedule: Sunday – Thursday 11pm – 7am

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth ages of 17-24. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.

Summary: 

The Direct Service Advocate (DSA) is responsible for providing support, advocacy and role modeling to adult, teen and child program participants living in the YWCA’s residential programs. DSA’s are part of a team model working with peers, supervisors, clinicians and outside connections to best serve program participants. DSA’s support the agency mission and trauma informed service model in order to provide safe, consistent and quality services to vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Nurture and support a milieu approach that is participant-guided, family-driven, strengths-based, and trauma-informed; and embraces a framework of empowerment and encouragement, engaging with 100% of individuals and families that are on-site each shift.
• Encourage and support the development of life skills, positive parenting and improved parent-child interaction
• Follow and encourage the programs daily schedule and facilitate resident participation and community responsibilities, taking into account individualized plans for each participant.
• Ensure program procedures, rules, regulations and policies are followed to ensure a safe and supportive living environment including completion of 100% of all required safety sweeps (minimum of four times) each shift to ensure premises including alarms, doors, windows, appliances and bedrooms are all safe.
• To ensure participants are properly welcomed to the program, prepares rooms for new families within 1-2 shifts from previous exit.
• Provide daily information as it relates to data collection and outcome measurements through the completion of 100% of AWARDS logs prior to end of shift.
• Required documentation and daily program communication including case notes, resident files and communication logs, completing 100% of all documentation prior to the end of shift.
• Perform regular job duties to be observed by new staff during the job shadowing portion of program orientation.
• Ensure thorough communication of staff from shift to shift.
• To support children’s safety and well-being, ensure mothers supervise children at all times and offer support to moms during a crisis or periods where they may be overwhelmed.
• Conducts safety checks on residents and children as needed and completes 100% of all required safety checks.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings, supervision and trainings as required.
• Responsible for upkeep of the facility and property (including, but not limited to: vacuuming, laundry, shoveling, raking, mopping, preparation of bedrooms) including ensuring 100% of chores were completed properly before signing off on the chore list. This must be done during your assigned shift.
• Maintain 1:6 staff to child ratio at all times.
• It is a 24/7 program, staff are responsible to work Holiday shift depending on their schedule.
• Conduct oneself at all times in a respectable professional manner
• Perform other related duties as needed. 

Qualifications:

• A.A. or equivalent education or experience in a human service field (Required)
• One year of counseling and direct service experience (Preferred)
• Experience with victims of domestic violence (Preferred)
• Reliable transportation, safe driving record, and valid driver’s license required. Must be able to be covered by the agency's insurance policy.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.

EEO STATEMENT:

It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
 

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This position is covered under the CBA (union) and is subject to union dues.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, and to protect our agency, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA. 

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD

All employment at the YWCA begins with a 150-day Introductory Period.