VRP Bilingual Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Violence Recovery Program is committed to promoting healing, equity, and justice for LGBTQIA+ survivors of violence. We provide trauma-informed services and compassionate support to survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and anti-LGBTQIA+ violence. Rooted in a commitment to social justice, we work to raise awareness about the impact of interpersonal violence on LGBTQIA+ communities and advocate for a world where all survivors are treated with dignity, sensitivity, and respect.

This position is full-time, Monday through Friday during normal business hours. This is a hybrid position that requires in-person and remote/telehealth work.

Function:

Under the supervision of the Advocacy Coordinator of the Violence Recovery Program (VRP), the Bilingual Advocate provides advocacy and case management services, and supportive counseling in English and Spanish to survivors of domestic violence/partner abuse, sexual assault, anti-LGBTQ hate violence and police misconduct --- with a specialized focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) survivors. The Bilingual Advocate provides information to community members, service providers and others about VRP services and raises awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQIA+) violence issues. The Bilingual Advocate provides hybrid telehealth and in-person services.

Representative Duties:

Provides direct services to clients

• Provides telephone or in-person intake, screening and assessment of new clients referred to the VRP
• Provides supportive counseling with clients using established VRP procedures
• Informs clients of rights, options and available services during intake or as soon as practicable
• Coordinates care for clients, including consultation with other agency departments and community service providers; communicates with clients and other family members or significant others regarding client care
• Delivers case management by assisting clients to access the criminal justice/legal systems, medical and behavioral health care, social and support services, housing and other basic needs by giving client information, facilitating referrals and/or contacting service providers directly
• Accompanies clients to Court and/or police, as appropriate

Collaborates with victim services agencies and community organizations in support of survivor rights

• Works with police and other criminal justice agencies, legal service providers and victim services agencies to ensure accessibility and follow-up services for survivors of violence
• Organizes and/or attends monthly meetings with law enforcement, criminal justice, and other LGBTQ groups and community service providers in an effort to protect and ensure the public safety and civil rights of the LGBTQ community
• Develops and maintains contacts in other assistance agencies; maintains updated referral lists

Conduct outreach, training/in-services and community engagement

• Conducts outreach about VRP services to service providers, community groups and LGBTQ communities, including underserved and marginalized communities
• Conducts outreach and information-sharing at events in the community and in the health center in coordination with other VRP and Fenway Health staff
• Provides training and in-services to community groups and professional organizations about LGBTQ violence issues to raise awareness and improve providers’ and systems’ response to LGBTQ survivors

Effectively carries out activities related to VRP’s provision of services to clients

• Prepares reports, statistics and documentation of direct services, as directed
• Participates in VRP team meetings, interdisciplinary department meetings and other staff meetings, as directed
• Attends supervision sessions as scheduled and uses supervision appropriately to receive support and feedback related to ongoing cases and administrative responsibilities

Meets agency participatory expectation

• Adheres to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
• Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
• Adheres to the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality
• Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
• Attends all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings
• Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
• Serves on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested

Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements:

• Fluency in Spanish and English
• Bachelor’s Degree or Relevant experience
• Some advocacy and case management experience
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
• Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of, commitment to, and experience working with LGBTQ community
• Demonstrated knowledge of, commitment to, and/or experience addressing partner abuse/domestic violence, sexual violence, hate violence and police misconduct.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, commitment to and experience working with marginalized populations and communities of color, particularly Black and Latinx communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking skills
• Knowledge of the legal and criminal justice systems and experience with advocacy

Physical Requirements:

Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
• Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time

This is a union position in a Fenway Health bargaining unit represented by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, generous paid time off, commuter benefits, and more.
LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.