Intern DV Advocacy and Support

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 205,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.

We are now searching for a part-time Intern DV Advocate Intern with the DV Advocacy and Support: Apoyo a Sobrevivientes de Violencia Domestica Program to join our Midway Team! 

This is an unpaid internship for current college students who need the hours to complete a course or meet graduation requirements.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assists with direct services to survivors of domestic abuse and/or their children, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, life skills development, parenting support, information, and/or referrals. Direct services provided to clients may be in-person, virtual, or by phone and may be conducted in individual, group, family, or communal settings.
• Assesses and effectively responds in a culturally sensitive way to the needs of survivors seeking supportive services using short-term, strengths-based interventions.
• In partnership with the client, develops and regularly reviews a service plan that describes the client’s goals while receiving services and tracks their progress in the achievement of those goals.
• Develops and maintains a strong working knowledge of MFS programs and community-based resources. May facilitate linkages with services both within MFS and in the community.
• Assists DV Program Supervisor with variable administrative duties, which may include staff training and support; development and maintenance of shift schedules, data collection and reporting, and back-up for Program Supervisor or other staff as needed.
• Assists with consultation to other staff as needed and assumes a leadership role in fostering positive working relationships with community partners.
• Learns and assesses any required assessments and outcome tools at their designated intervals.
• Participates in a team-oriented approach by collaborating with departmental staff and other programs to provide comprehensive services for clients.
• Completes paperwork in a timely manner, including case notes and other documentation needed for a client’s file.
• Works within contract, grant, and program expectations, including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Remains cognizant of current developments in the field of domestic violence. Attends appropriate workshops, conferences, etc. to enhance professional development and understanding of issues in the field.
• Establishes and maintains contact with local agencies, organizations, and partnering sites as appropriate; effectively and professionally represents Metropolitan Family Services and the domestic violence program in the community.
• Provides services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals’ code of ethics.
• Other duties may be assigned that are specific to the needs of the particular site or program where this position is based.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Currently enrolled in a Master's level program in Social Work or related field, required.
• Preferred Bilingual Spanish
• Requires car to work with a community-based caseload and services.
• Ability to maintain assigned community and home-based services.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups in a culturally sensitive modality

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the intern is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• The intern is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
• The intern may occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.