Youth Advocacy Initiative Manager

ABOUT US Resolving to make the world better for children is at the heart of Safe Shores -The DC Children's Advocacy Center's mission to provide survivor-centered intervention, hope, and healing for children and families affected by abuse, trauma, and violence in the District of Columbia. Our efforts are focused on working to prevent and end child abuse and neglect through promising practices, policies, and partnerships. Working side-by-side with passion-driven multidisciplinary teams, we aim to: Minimize the trauma experienced by children and adolescents who have been identified as victims of sexual or physical abuse. Improve the investigation and prosecution of sexual and physical abuse cases from the point of intervention through to treatment and healing. Promote inter-agency collaboration for effective decision-making and management of sexual and physical abuse cases. Prevent further or future abuse of child victims. Provide training professionals in the field of investigation, prosecution, and provision of services for sexually and physically abused children, adolescents, and their non-offending caretakers. THE JOB AND YOUR ROLE The Youth Advocacy Initiative (YAI) Manager provides leadership, management, and supervision to YAI staff and manages operations within the Youth Advocacy Initiative. This position requires the incumbent to work in the office, in the community, and virtually. Evening, weekend, and holiday hours are required. The incumbent is also required to participate as a backup supervisor for the on-call rotation for after hours and weekend SAVRAA (Sexual Assault Victims' Rights Amendment Act of 2019) advocacy. This position requires mandatory reporting for child abuse and neglect under the District of Columbia Statute § 4-1321.02 when not acting within the defined role that provides an exemption to this mandate. The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to: Provide individual supervision to staff and contractors within the Youth Advocacy Initiative. Facilitate team meetings for staff and contractors within the Youth Advocacy Initiative. Participate collaboratively as a member of Safe Shores' management team. Build relationships within the Youth Advocacy Initiative and with other staff and key stakeholders, including multidisciplinary team members (MDT). Recruit and train new staff and contractors as needed in collaboration with Human Resources. Lead program initiatives aligning with strategic planning and other program goals as needed. Accurately track and share program data internally for grants and communications. Maintain and prepare a monthly staffing schedule for the Youth Advocacy Initiative to ensure 24/7 coverage. Represent the Youth Advocacy Initiative at case reviews and other MDT meetings as assigned. Provide information to the youth/family regarding trauma and the impact of trauma, available support and service resources, victims' rights, and the MDT investigation process. Collaborate with other involved service providers or government agencies, in accordance with the Sexual Assault Victims' Rights Amendment Act of 2019. Provide accompaniment to teens and/or their families (as needed) for purposes related to victimization, including hospital visits and law enforcement interviews. Perform a safety assessment of the teen and/or family and develop and recommend a safety plan for the teen victim and family in cases when appropriate. Participate in regular individual supervision, staff meetings, in-service training, and other meetings as required. Maintain and assure quality and confidentiality of electronic and paper files and statistical tracking. Ensure a tranquil and safe environment for visiting teens and families by monitoring program space and supporting staff as needed. Purchase, inventory, and stock supplies to ensure all primary locations for service delivery have the supplies necessary for program service delivery, including gift cards, clothes, hygiene items, books, and food within budget parameters. Track client outcome measurement/satisfaction and implement and monitor follow-up surveys. Manage program initiative budget, expenses, and staff expense reporting, including ongoing review, forecasting, and projections. Review/audit client case information entered in the case record system and other tracking systems in a timely manner. Supervisory Responsibilities This position supervises Youth Advocacy Initiative staff and contractors. WHAT YOU OFFER You are passionate about Safe Shores' mission, vision, and values, committed to doing what's best and suitable for those we serve, and driven to become an outstanding asset to our community of colleagues. You have strong listening and communication skills, both oral and written, and must be able to adapt to various audiences fluidly. You have academic or post-graduate training in trauma-focused interventions and have implemented your learning. Most importantly, you have a high level of cultural competence and believe and thrive in a workplace culture committed to countering all forms of prejudice and discrimination. Eligibility Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling and (5) Five years of experience rendering support, counseling, or assistance to sexual assault victims. Relevant professional experience would also include knowledge and understanding of working with children, youth, and families who have experienced abuse and trauma. (2) Two years of supervisory experience successfully leading and managing a team. Comprehensive knowledge of the dynamics of human behavior, child and adolescent development, child maltreatment, and peer-on-peer violence. Heart of an advocate Understands leadership as support, motivation, care, encouragement, problem-solving, mentoring, collaboration, program co-creation, and accountability.

Created: 2024-10-23