Direct Service Advocate-SYPP-2nd

Direct Service Advocate_SYPP_FT_2nd Full Time Springfield, MA, US Requisition ID: 2042 Salary Range: $21.00 To $21.00 Hourly Department: Springfield Young Parent Program Reports to: Program Director Schedule: Full-Time, 37.5 hours/weekly; Monday-Friday 3pm-11pm FLSA Status: Non-Exempt The YWCA of Western Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. For over 150 years, the YWCA has served our region, guided by its founding principle: to provide shelter, support services, and tools for self-sufficiency for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. We do this through a variety of programs and services designed to promote safety, build skills for employment and financial stability, and strengthen relationships between parents and children. Position Purpose 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. Essential Responsibilities Nurture and support a milieu approach that is participant-guided, family-driven, strengths-based, 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- 1:1 or group format to include recreational, educational, cultural or those that promote family engagement Follow and encourage the programs daily schedule and facilitate resident participation and community responsibilities, taking into account individualized plans for each participant. Ongoing individual resident support with 85% of time on shift in direct service role providing face to face contact and interaction with participant's and their children in order to support. 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 facilitate integration into the program, provide orientation and emotional support to participants upon arrival. 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. Qualifications A.A. or equivalent education or experience in a human service field (Required) One year of counseling and direct service experience (Preferred) Experience in a domestic violence setting (Preferred) Experience with survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation (Preferred) Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities (Preferred) Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias (Preferred) Access to reliable transportation and valid driver's license (Required) Must be able to lift 40 lbs.