Community Advocate

Community Advocate

REST Job Description

Background

REST exists to expand pathways to freedom, safety and hope in order to end sex trafficking. REST offers programs that are centered on the strengths, needs and individual choices of each survivor we serve. We offer a continuum of care that includes outreach, a 24/7 hotline, community advocates, a drop-in center, an economic empowerment program, emergency shelter, residential program, and housing services. We are inspired by our faith as a Christian organization, are dedicated to serving people of all faith backgrounds, and do not require faith engagement. Our culture is influenced by our values of belonging, honor, trustworthiness, and tenacity.

All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. As a Christian organization, this position works in harmony with the organization’s statement of faith and support the spiritual health of the organization. REST is committed to building a diverse workforce.

Role summary

REST Community Advocates are responsible for building trusting relationships with individuals who are involved in or exiting sex trafficking and assist them to prioritize self-identified goals, develop a plan to reach those goals, make referrals for services to accommodate their goal plan. The advocate’s role is imperative to assisting clients in creating a self-curated path of sustainability so they can achieve one year out of sex trafficking. REST Community Advocates support survivors in achieving their goals and achieving one year out of sex trafficking, in part, by partnering with survivors to secure and maintain housing and economic stability. REST advocates accomplish their work by connecting survivors to a variety of community resources including, housing financial assistance, “Coordinated Entry for All,” and job readiness and employment resources. In addition, REST Community Advocates connect clients to other REST services and community resources to address behavioral and physical health needs, reconnection to the client’s family and community, and to address any other barrier between the client and their goals. REST seeks to provide trauma-informed, strengths-based services that empower individuals to take the steps they want toward self-sufficiency.

Each Community Advocate position at REST has a specific geographic or specialized focus area (however, any advocate may be assigned to clients outside these parameters, if needed).

• South King County Advocate: serves clients in South King County and with existing REST clients who are currently housed through REST's transitional programs
• Seattle Advocate: serves clients in Seattle and with existing REST clients who are currently housed through REST's transitional programs
• Emergency Receiving Center Community Advocate: serves clients who are accessing REST’s Emergency Receiving Center and not transitioning to either of REST’s transitional houses
• Youth Advocate: serves clients who are 24 years-old and younger
• Part-time Youth Outreach Advocate: serves clients who are 24 years-old and younger via outreach and partnering with the Youth Advocate
• WARN Advocate: serves foreign national survivors of trafficking as part of the Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network with International Rescue Committee Seattle
• Community Advocate: serves clients in the community who have not engaged with our Emergency Receiving Center or either transitional house

Role Competencies

Advocacy and Assessment Skills: Community Advocates are responsible for conducting thorough assessments of clients' needs, strengths, and preferences to develop effective service plans. Community Advocates advocate on behalf of clients to ensure they receive appropriate services, support, and resources.

Empathy and Compassion: Community Advocates should demonstrate empathy and compassion towards the individuals they advocate for, understanding their experiences, and advocating from a place of genuine concern for their well-being.

Cultural Competence: Community Advocates should have an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity to provide culturally sensitive and competent care to clients from diverse backgrounds.

Collaboration and Communication Skills: Community Advocates should have excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with clients, families, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. Advocates should also have the capacity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including healthcare professionals, social workers, and community agencies, to coordinate services and support for clients.

Culture Carrier: The advocate is a “culture carrier,” meaning that the advocate models our values, and ensures that their work and conduct reflects our values of Belonging, Trustworthiness, Tenacity, and Honor. Advocates also work in harmony with the REST statement of faith and nurture the spiritual health of the team.

Problem-Solving Skills: Community Advocates should have the capability to identify problems, analyze situations, and develop creative solutions to address clients' needs and challenges in a timely manner.

Resource Management: Community Advocates should have the ability to identify and access community resources, such as housing assistance, financial support, and healthcare services, to meet clients' needs.

Ethical Practice: Community Advocates must adhere to ethical standards and guidelines in all aspects of case management, including confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries.

Technological Literacy: Proficient at Excel, Microsoft Office, Google cloud products, Apple products, and other web-based business technologies at use within REST.

Documentation Skills and Time Management: Advocates should be proficient in maintaining accurate and detailed documentation of client interactions, assessments, care plans, and progress notes. Advocate must also have effective time management skills to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage caseloads efficiently.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Advocates must have the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, client needs, and organizational priorities in a fast-paced environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered case management for survivors of sex trafficking. Uses tools such as motivational interviewing to deliver services.
• Manage and maintain an active case load of 10-15 individuals, monitored and determined based on the client’s level of need and assistance with access to resources
• Inputs client related data in REST client data base, including enrollment data, goal tracking, confidential case notes.
• Support the client to design an integrated plan to achieve client goals; support client to explore each clients’ strengths, needs, and culture across life domains such as education, employment, family, financial, housing, and legal
• Use a holistic approach to care, providing opportunities for clients to explore emotional, physical, and spiritual needs
• Assist survivors with Coordinated Entry for All Assessments, completing housing applications, and be a present advocate for clients in necessary appointments such as housing programs and prospective landlords, government organizations, local partnering agencies, law enforcement and more.
• Provide culturally appropriate and responsive care to all clients
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization support for clients in emotional distress
• Provide transportation for clients as needed to help meet their individualized goals
• Model REST values in every encounter with clients, REST staff, and stakeholders.
• Build and foster a deep feeling of trust, belonging and empowerment with clients to increase clients overall sense of self-efficacy
• Maintain and follow REST policies and procedures, protocols and guidelines related to professional boundaries with clients, colleagues, and partner agencies at all times
• Use prevention and deescalation tactics to avoid violence or problem behaviors, and follow the de-escalation protocol in the event of unsafe behavior
• Maintain self-awareness, monitoring and regulating personal responses to stressors in order to maintain personal health and demonstrate professionalism in often complex and high stress situations
• Meaningfully prepare for and participate in weekly 1:1 meetings with supervisor, quarterly performance reviews, and annual performance review.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, quarterly REST meetings, and other meetings as assigned by supervisor
• Contribute to the improvement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) throughout the organization by continuing to develop our own understanding of DEIA and how to create DEIA outcomes for our clients.
• Model and facilitate healthy and constructive conflict resolution for team and clients
• Timely and accurately submit expense reports in compliance with REST’s policies and procedure.
• Timely submit time cards in compliance with REST’s policies and procedures.
• Comply with all REST policies, including but not limited to personnel policies and fiscal policies.
• Other duties as assigned

Key Performance Indicators

• 100% of clients enrolled have an safety, eviction prevention and budget plan to maintain safe and stable housing
• 100% of enrolled clients will have up-to-date trafficking and trauma verification forms, celebrations, and discovery within 3 months
• 100% of clients have one goal in progress at all times with updates implemented in data system monthly
• 90% of clients enrolled have a self-sufficiency matrix within their first month, and updated in months (4, 7, 13 etc) each quarter they are enrolled in advocacy

Schedule

40 hours/week. This position typically works Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Occasional on call and outside hours may be required. Some holidays may be required, and some seasons may require more than 40 hours/week.

Location

This position is based out of REST’s office is located in South Seattle but must be able to meet clients throughout King County and the region.

Benefits

This position is eligible for all benefits offered to full-time non-exempt employees. This currently starts at 15 days vacation, 10 days sick, 10 holidays, 100% employer paid medical/dental/vision premiums for employee, one paid mental health hour each week, and a 403b retirement plan.

Job conditions

This position encounters a variety of daily work situations, including complex situations that require immediate attention and decision making. There may be both routine and complex interpersonal interactions to navigate with care and thoughtfulness. Processes may change based on changing needs of the organization, new technology, or new ideas for efficiency. Position operates as part of a team and engages in on-site work that may require time spent sitting, standing, walking up and down stairs, driving, transporting items. Position works under occasional time constraints to meet objectives, and performs computer work, including using a keyboard, looking at a screen, using the internet, email, phone, and video conferencing.