Provides Air Force (AF) personnel, their family members, or intimate partners who are victims of domestic abuse nonclinical emergent and urgent service through safety assessments and safety planning services. The Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVAs) promotes a coordinated community response to allegations of domestic abuse via providing a range of support and education services to victims during duty hours, as well as on-call emergency services after duty hours. This position provides comprehensive services 24 hours a day/7 days per week to assist and advocate for victims of domestic abuse and to ensure victims are connected with the appropriate resources to ensure their safety. The DAVA does not provide clinical treatment services.
Responds to calls IAW established protocols, maintains a record of calls, and provides the Family Advocacy Officer or designee a situational report the following duty day.
Partners with the Family Advocacy case manager, or mental health on-call provider if the treatment/case manager is unavailable, to establish current and effective safety plans. The victim's safety is the DAVA's top responsibility and priority. The DAVA shall review the Victim's Safety Plan during each victim contact. Establishes a Victim's Safety Plan on a case-by-case basis.
Develops safety plans based on initial and ongoing risk assessments. If imminent risk of serious harm or death is established, notify the FAO, law enforcement, and Command.
Includes children, if involved, in the process and evaluates physical safety and emotional well-being; refer involved children to the treatment/case manager for follow-on care.
Immediately reports any changes in the victim's circumstances that changes or impacts the safety plan to the FAP treatment/case manager or mental health on-call provider if the treatment/case manager is unavailable.
Determines victim's imminent risk of serious harm or death, risk factors will be assessed per the detailed job description.
Provides safety assessments and safety planning for comprehensive services to include emotional support, arrangement of transportation; accompany victims to medical, legal and/or law enforcement appointments, assist in securing protective orders, emergency food and/or shelter and information benefits.
Works directly with victims to ensure that expressed needs are advocated and presented to personnel at intervening agencies.
Assesses imminent risks for health and/ or safety of the victim and make referrals as appropriate.
Assists victims with navigating the system to obtain the services desired and refer victims to the appropriate services for continued care.
Ensures victims of domestic abuse receive sensitive, confidential with the exception of state, federal, and military reporting requirements and immediate comprehensive care and treatment needed to restore health and well-being.
Assists victims in developing safety plans, conduct a risk assessment, and provide emotional support, prevention awareness and education to victims.
Provides information on victim services and resources available on and/or off the installation.
Explains reporting options during the initial contact whenever possible to ensure that the victim makes informed decisions about whom to disclose information regarding the abuse.
Ensures that first responders, (Emergency Medical Services and or law enforcement etc.) when appropriate, are contacted immediately during emergencies and in situations where there is imminent harm to the victim or others.
Partners with the FAP treatment/case manager to support the victim and promote safety for the victim and children in the home. Briefs the treatment/case manager prior to the Clinical Case Staffing (CCS) so that the CCS team has the most current information on the victim and children for staffing.
Supports the Family Advocacy Outreach Manager (FAOM) in developing System Advocacy, Education and Public Awareness, and promoting a coordinated community response to domestic abuse.
Operates within established guidelines.
Other duties as assigned.
Other Job Requirements
Responsibilities
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in any of the following disciplines: Social Work; Psychology; Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling; Counseling or Behavioral Science; Criminal Justice, or related field.
Two years of experience assisting and providing advocacy services to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.
Upon hire, or within six-months of hiring, must obtain the Basic Advocate credential with designation of Comprehensive Intervention Specialist as approved and offered by the National Advocate Credentialing Program, which is overseen by the National Organization for Victims Assistance.
Before starting work, all FAP and DAVA personnel working with Military Treatment Facilities shall provide proof of immunization from the following diseases according to CDC guidelines: Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and influenza, and proof of a negative TB skin test (completed within the past 12 months (if positive, proof of negative chest X-ray within the past 12 months).
At a minimum, all FAP and DAVA personnel working within a Military Treatment Facility must maintain current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (BLS) (Course C) or the American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/BLS (Heart Saver) Course.
Shall be able to obtain and maintain a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) Tier 1 Clearance.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and have the ability to input, retrieve, and format documentation via various database/software.
DAVAs shall have knowledge of military programs, organizations, chain of command, unit missions, life styles, and situations that contribute to family stress, problems and crisis situations.
Possess the ability to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to work cooperatively with military and civilian medical, social service, law enforcement, and legal personnel on behalf of victims.
Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted motor vehicle license.
Must possess transportation to transport victim in crisis (non-emergent) situations as a last resort.
Must be able to provide on-call 24 hours/7 days per week victim advocacy services.
Must be able to operate general office equipment including but not limited to: computer, phones and related media and information devices on most or all workdays.
Ability to communicate and interact with others, both in person and/or by telephone to conduct business.
Ability to work under time pressure. and rapidly for long periods to meet deadlines.
General Job Information
Title
Victim Advocate, AFDAVA
Grade
WDNAFMRADAVA
Work Experience - Required
Victim Advocacy
Work Experience - Preferred
Education - Required
Bachelors - Behavioral Health
Education - Preferred
License and Certifications - Required
License and Certifications - Preferred
Magellan Health, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Tobacco-free workplace. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled.Every employee must understand, comply with and attest to the security responsibilities and security controls unique to their position; and comply with all applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements and internal policies and procedures.
