Overnight Family Support Advocate

Our Lady's Inn; Defiance (MO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A supportive family shelter in Missouri seeks an Overnight Family Support Advocate to provide supervision and assistance to residential clients. The ideal candidate will have experience in social services, particularly in a trauma-informed environment. Responsibilities include establishing professional relationships, helping clients navigate house procedures, and ensuring their safety and well-being. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential, along with a commitment to supporting families in a pro-life mission.

Qualifications

• Minimum one-year experience in the social service field working directly with clients in a trauma-informed environment.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in social services working directly with clients.
• Demonstrated practical experience in motivational interviewing and de-escalation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain professional therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Help orient new clients to house procedures and programs.
• Work cooperatively as a team member with all staff.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field

Associates Degree in Social Work with continuing education

Job description

Description

The Overnight Family Support Advocate (FSA) will work overnights to with residential clients to provide general support and supervision throughout their stay, as well as augment the work of the Case Managers and Child Advocate by assisting with developmental and planned activities relating to the families. The FSA will model healthy interaction and communication styles to encourage positive interaction between clients and between each mother and her child(ren). The Family Support Advocate will interact with clients and staff following a trauma-informed care approach, and when required, use motivational interviewing and de-escalation techniques when working with clients. The FSA must be comfortable holding clients accountable for their actions and adherence to policies and procedures. Must commit to the agency’s pro-life mission.

Schedule

Thursday and Sunday overnights 10pm-8am

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (or related field) with a minimum one-year experience in the social service field working directly with clients in a trauma-informed environment; or Associates Degree in Social Work with continuing education
• Experience: Minimum of three years’ experience in the social services field working directly with clients in a trauma-informed environment. Detailed knowledge of and experience working within a trauma-informed care service delivery environment is required. Demonstrated practical experience in motivational interviewing and de-escalation techniques is also required. Experience working with clients having a substance use disorder is preferred.
• Skills and Abilities: Excellent organizational, communication, and computer/database skills; detail-oriented, ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Other: Must have a valid driver’s license with current vehicle insurance.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to climb and descend stairs; ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

Essential Responsibilities

• Establishing and maintaining professional, therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Interacting with clients and staff using trauma-informed care language and methods
• Helping to orient new clients to house procedures, programs, expectations, and responsibilities
• As necessary, conducting phone screening of potential clients using Shelter Call Form and making appropriate referrals if applicable.
• Working cooperatively as a team member with all staff.
• Maintaining open communication with supervisor and other staff members.
• Assisting clients in accomplishing her goals as may be as requested.
• Helping ensure the physical safety and security of the building by reporting concerns to COO and following safety protocols. Setting alarms at designated times.
• Addressing client concerns or issues arising between clients.
• Records pertinent shift activities in logbook.
• Maintaining knowledge of and encouraging adherence to expectations in Handbook including curfew, smoking, cell phone use and mandatory meal attendance.
• Dispensing supplies to clients and recording such in logbook.
• Providing transportation in OLI vehicle for clients as may be needed.
• Records donations dropped off at the Inn following established procedure.
• Inspecting client completed household responsibilities to ensure completion in timely manner; and working with clients who need additional support in completing household responsibilities.
• Attending monthly all-staff meetings.
• Providing input to the program team regarding clients’ interactions, compliance with expectations, and making recommendations for needed resources, supports, or interventions.
• Working in collaboration with Client Advocate(s) to support clients in activities around goal achievement.
• Ensuring policy and procedures related to client medication storage and observation is followed.
• Perform client drug screening as directed.
• Additional tasks and duties as assigned.