HopeHouse

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1) Children's Advocate

2) Contract Attorney
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Children’s Advocate 

Hope House services form a safety net of prevention, education and support for more than 10,000 victims of domestic violence every year. Residential and outreach services are provided through two secure locations in Independence and Lee’s Summit, Missouri (the Kansas City metro area). 

Part-time:  20-23 hours/week, Monday 4 pm to 9 pm (Independence); Tuesday 4 pm to 8 pm (Independence); Wednesday 10 am to 8:30 pm (Independence); Thursday 6:30 to 8 pm (Blue Springs); rotating Saturdays 9:45 to 11:45 am (Independence).

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Children’s Advocate is responsible for providing support, advocacy and case management services to children and their mothers who are utilizing Hope House services.  This role may also provide coverage for the crisis hotline and shelter front desk.  Based on the role of the advocate, may be assigned specialty areas of advocacy and provide on call responsibilities on a rotating basis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Facilitates individual and group activities that promote the physical, cognitive, language, social, and creative development of children, with an emphasis on helping children heal from the effects of domestic violence.
• Supports family relationships by providing opportunities for parents and children to interact with one another in a positive way.
• Builds and maintains positive and trusting relationships with parents by being available and approachable, by listening and responding to parents’ concerns and questions regarding their children, and by sharing knowledge of child growth and development principles with parents.
• Provides case management and support to families through meetings and regular contact to focus on client-identified goals and needs.  Ensures that safety planning and education about domestic violence is provided to empower clients to make decisions.
• Assists with school enrollment.
• Supports and advocates for children and families, while being a positive role model, through problem solving and conflict resolution to ensure that a consistent, safe, secure, community living environment is available to everyone.
• Provides guidance and assistance on the hotline to ensure individuals are provided with necessary resources, guidance and safety plans. Ensures relevant community resources and communication techniques are utilized to provide effective crisis intervention with individuals requesting assistance.
• Multi tasks while covering the shelter front desk by monitoring security and safety of the shelter and campus, administering intakes for new clients and providing immediate requests for clients in shelter.
• Communicates detailed and precise information to ensure that all pertinent information and facts are available to all shelter staff.
• Makes certain that Hope House meets quality assurance standards by maintaining QA standards and ensuring accurate and timely reporting.   
• Ensures that the facility is maintained in a clean, organized fashion by providing a variety of housekeeping functions on a daily basis.
• Ensures that all personnel are well versed on the program’s operations by providing guidance, training and direction to new employees, interns and volunteers when they begin in the program.
• Follows all Hope House domestic violence policies and requirements, to include serving as a mandated reporter of child abuse, as required by law or grant funding.
  

Based on the role the advocate holds, the following may apply:

• Develops specialty area and ensures that all clients and advocates are educated on these topics by meeting with members of the community, facilitating group meetings and providing relevant resources.
• Provides on call assistance to shelter operations, on a rotating basis, by assisting and advising advocates regarding shelter matters and working additional shifts, if needed.
  

REQUIREMENTS (KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES):

• Ability to multi task and work in a fast paced environment
• Strong communication skills to be collaborative in a group setting
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict resolution in stressful situations
• Ability to understand and utilize developmentally appropriate practices with children of all ages.
• Basic computer skills to perform data entry
• Ability to transport children with a valid Class E driver’s license and provide copy of current auto insurance
• Must be able to successfully complete criminal background check and child abuse/neglect screening
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in role.
• Ability to maintain boundaries working with victims of domestic violence
• Must be able to come to work promptly and regularly.
• Must be able to work under the stress of deadlines.
• Must be able to concentrate and perform accurately.
• Must be able to adapt to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE):

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• 2+ years experience working in the social services or related field or two years of relevant college education
• Experience working with a diverse population
• Experience working with children of all ages.
• General knowledge of the dynamics and causes of domestic violence and a commitment to end domestic violence as a social problem
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree in Social Services or related field
• Previous experience working with children and families who have been exposed to domestic violence
• Bilingual with any second language
• Knowledge of local community resources and agencies
• Prior experience working on a hotline/crisis intervention environment
• Previous experience working with individuals with substance abuse or mental health issues
• Experience presenting information in a group setting
• Experience working in a group residential facility
• Prior customer services experience, preferably in a stressful environment
  

PHYSICAL/ WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:

• Stand for extended periods of time.
• Move around the facility, stoop, bend, reach, and interact with children at children’s eye level.
• Climb and descend stairs
• Lift 20 lbs
• Drive to transport clients and/or their children to attend activities and meetings at various locations
• Utilize keyboard
• Work flexible and double schedules on an as needed basis and with little notice.
• Meet specific vision abilities required by this job including close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception and ability to focus.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

 

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Application Instructions: 

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter including salary requirements by e-mail to dfullerton@hopehouse.net, fax to 816-257-9350 or mail to Dayla Fullerton,  Hope House, P.O. Box 577, Lee’s Summit, MO  64063.  

No phone calls, please.  Thank you for your interest in Hope House. Hope House is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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