Children’s Counselor/Advocate

WINGS Program is looking for an experienced, motivated and empathetic individual for our Children’s Advocate position!
At WINGS, our mission is to provide housing, integrated services, education and advocacy to end domestic violence. Our Children’s Advocates are an essential part of that mission by providing counseling, case management, advocacy, and coordination of services to children in the WINGS Program.
As a Children’s Advocate, you can help to change the lives of children impacted by domestic violence. By providing counseling, encouragement, and enrichment activities, each child is given the opportunity to heal and grow in spite of their experiences. Domestic violence is a heavy weight that no one, especially children, should experience. Our Children’s Advocates serve as a safe space for children to open up about their experiences and most importantly, help them feel like a kid again.

Objective: To provide counseling (75%) and case management (25%) which includes advocacy, and coordination of services to children and families, using a strengths-based, trauma informed approach.

Key Responsibilities:

· Coordinate with Family Advocate to identify at-risk children and arrange to provide additional support (i.e. referrals, counseling, mentors, etc.).

· Assess each child referred to the program for needs, strengths, and identify level of need and provide appropriate case management services, including safety plan development, service plan development and implementation, along with providing counseling, encouragement, and enrichment activities for children in ways that will enhance their life and improve their potential for healthy psychological adjustment.

· Provide crisis intervention to the parent and child and advocate for clients as needed.

· Participate in development of agency-wide enrichment activities and attend as required.

· Prepare and facilitate parenting classes.

· Work with child(ren) to promote discussion of the child(ren)’s experiences; encouraging children to speak openly about the abusive/violent event(s) and serve to reduce their sense of isolation allowing them to begin emotional healing.

· Prepare and provide intervention for children through groups using a curriculum that provides structure for discussions about family violence, personal safety, and identification of feelings.

· Collaborate and network with a broad base of stakeholders, including local schools, community-based organizations, child welfare agencies and physical and mental health providers to ensure appropriate services for children.

· Administer measures to the parent (client) and children to assess effectiveness of our treatment to provide guidance and direction for setting goals.

· Teach and/or assist in supervising the WINGS 40-hour domestic violence training and other classes that provide CEUs as required.

· Work two evenings a week.

· Provide day-to-day supervision to interns who provide services working with the children.

· Immediately report child abuse to Department of Children and Family Services as mandated by law and in accordance with agency procedures.

· Provide services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals code of ethics.

· Adhere to strict confidentiality in all assignments.

· Maintain accurate records including up-to-date client files and case notes and submit reports and program evaluations within established timelines.

· Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

· Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, or related field.

· 1 year of direct human services experience working with children in diverse populations.

· Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

· Possess the ability to work efficiently and independently and be highly organized with attention to detail along with strong project management, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

· Skilled in working with sensitive issues and in maintaining professional boundaries with clients.

· Must demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, good judgment, and commitment to teamwork.

· 40-hour domestic violence training and CPR & First Aid Certification, will be provided by WINGS if needed.

· Excellent working knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office Suite along with excellent verbal and written communication and documentation skills.

· Must be willing to work variable hours including evening, weekends, and holidays, serve as an on-call staff on a rotating basis with minimal notice and work at any of the locations within the WINGS Program.

· Must have reliable transportation.

· Ability to handle physical requirements to accomplish daily responsibilities, including but not limited to lifting up to 35 pounds using both hands/arms on a regular basis and extended periods of standing on occasion.

This position is full-time, salary exempt with full benefits. Apply today and help change lives in a BIG way!