CPS Advocate

Equinox is a non-profit human services organization in the Capital Region.

For more than 40 years, Equinox has reached out to people who need us most with innovative and effective programs that truly change lives, allowing us to fulfill our purpose of helping those we serve move forward on their paths to recovery, healing, and independence.

Equinox is Albany County’s primary provider of services for victims of domestic violence. Our Domestic Violence Programs provide safety for victims of Domestic Violence, including the elderly, and offer the support, assistance and tools they need to escape abusive situations and take control of their lives. Domestic Violence Services are available to all victims and their dependent children, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

Position Summary: The DV/CPS Advocate serves as a liaison between Equinox Domestic Violence Services and Albany County Child Protective Services. In this role, the DV/CPS Advocate helps develop CPS/DV protocol; provides training to CPS staff; serves as a domestic violence resource to CPS; and provides information, referrals, safety planning and support to victims of domestic violence involved with CPS. The DV/CPS Advocate will split time between CPS offices at 112 State Street and Equinox Domestic Violence Outreach Services. In this role, the DV/CPS Advocate collaborates with Albany County Department for Children Youth and Families (DCYF) and completes follow up home visits in the community with Albany County Case Workers. The DV/CPS Advocate collaborates with other Equinox DV Staff to coordinate services for any victims that have CPS involvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a liaison between Equinox and CPS to provide assistance and resources to CPS staff.
• Provide domestic violence education and trauma informed education to CPS staff.
• Accompany CPS case workers investigation and monitoring child abuse/neglect cases to provide information and referrals to domestic violence victims.
• Accompanies clients to Court, Police, the Department of Social Services, and other agencies as needed. Assists domestic violence victims in obtaining orders of protection, custody orders and child support.
• Participate in DV/CPS team meetings and case review to provide domestic violence education to CPS workers and to collaborate on cases where domestic violence has been reported in the home.
• Receives referrals from CPS workers where domestic violence has been reported in the home.
• Collaborate with CPS workers on cases where domestic violence has been reported in the home, the DV/CPS Advocate will advocate for victims both in person and via telephone to enhance services and safety of the victim and the children.
• Assists clients in developing and monitoring goals, with overall goal of client self-sufficiency and violence-free living.
• The DV/CPS Advocate adheres to strict confidentiality and federal protections surrounding victims of domestic violence.
• Maintain client records according to program and regulatory requirements. Maintain statistics requirements for the agency and funding sources.
• Participates in department staff meetings, as well as individual supervision.
• Meets with walk-ins to provide crisis intervention, supportive listening, information and referral; develops safety plans with clients and conducts eligibility assessment for all Domestic Violence services.
• Respond to the 24-hour hotline, crisis chat line, and provide direct services to advocacy and case management clients, including shelter placement and alternative options.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships and linkages with other community services, including domestic violence programs, human services and resource programs in the region.
• Acts in accordance with Equinox mission. Maintain the highest level of professional ethical standards. Ensures confidentiality when dealing with employees, clients and the public.
• May represent the agency in formal and informal groups related to domestic violence services.
• Comply with all documentation requirements.
• Reports suspected cases of child abuse/maltreatment as a mandated reporter.
• Performs other duties as requested for the enhancement and continuation of programming.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to negotiate stairs.
• Ability to lift and carry minimum of 15 lbs
• Ability to handle basic facility emergencies.
• Ability to drive and transport clients with agency vehicles.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in human services or relevant major (4 years of human services experience with a High School Diploma or equivalent OR 2 years of human services experience with an Associates' Degree will be substituted in lieu of an advanced degree.)
• Minimum one year of human services experience.
• Must have a clean, valid NYS Driver License.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in Spanish and/or an additional language.
• Prior experience working with domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, human trafficking, mental health or substance abuse populations preferred.
• Prior case management/crisis intervention services experience preferred.