COA Advocate - (CHS)

SUMMARY:

This position reports directly to the Community Support Manager. The Community Support Advocate works directly with the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Communities providing advocacy, support, crisis intervention, problem- solving, short-term counseling, information, referral, education, and training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provide advocacy, case management, and information and referrals to clients and the general public.
•  Support and encourage client self-advocacy efforts and when necessary and requested, advocate on behalf of clients to ensure their rights and responsibilities are protected within the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Illinois Domestic Violence Act and in interaction with other service providers.
• Provide information and referral services to members of the Deaf community, services providers, community organizations, employers, family members, and DDBHH individuals.
• Provide crisis intervention, problem solving, and short-term counseling to DDBHH survivors/victims of sexual assault, either in the office or at agreed-upon locations in the community.
• Refer clients to appropriate community resources for services such as emergency shelter, long-term counseling, and housing assistance, and provides on-going support through case management.
• Ensure communication access to all related services including medical services and to police and court proceedings, usually through the use of sign language interpreters.
• Accompany clients to court, meetings with police, lawyers and other service providers.
• Arrange and/or develop and present educational programs and exhibits to DDBHH individuals, service providers, police departments.
• Implement data collection procedures to document service delivery and demographic information about survivors/victims of domestic violence.

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, counseling or a related field and 1 year of direct service work experience in the Deaf community with a strong knowledge of community resources. Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL), prefer ASL as a first language, and knowledge of Deaf culture. Must own and maintain an operating vehicle, have a valid driver’s license, and be eligible to be an agency approved driver.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.