Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CSEY) Advocate

at  YMCA of Greater Houston

JOB DESCRIPTION:

YMCA International Service is a unique branch of the YMCA of Greater Houston; the center strives to meet Houston’s refugee, immigrant, and vulnerable communities’ needs. YMCA provides comprehensive support services that focus on clients’ strengths, clients’ needs, thorough assessments, and creating strong advocate/client relationships. As a CSEY Advocate on our team, you will play an essential role in providing intensive emotional support, advocacy, and case management for survivors so they may be diverted from trafficking and exploitation and improve their chances of recovery.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or Social Sciences (or related field)
• Bilingual required – Spanish, Mandarin, and/or Cantonese (preferred but not required).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which include responding to call outs on a rotating basis 24/7.
• Experience providing case management and/or advocacy to trafficking survivors, victims of crime, domestic violence, immigrant communities or similar population.
• Ability to work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations
• Comfortable and experienced working with LGBTQ population.
• Proficient in computer applications and programs, such as Word, Microsoft Excel, and utilization of the internet in performing job duties.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Excellent conflict management skills.
• A team player.
• Good organizational skills and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to collaborate and work effectively with YMCA staff and community stakeholders.
• Must have reliable transportation and a clean driving record.
• Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements.
• Meet timelines and deadlines related to supporting systems and employee compliance. Example includes but are not limited to Kronos Workforce Ready for review and approval of time sheets.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Complete additional trainings as identified by supervisor. Motivational Interviewing, Crime Victims Compensation Training, Mandatory Reporting training, Trauma Informed Care Training, and any other trainings identified by supervisor.
• Hours of Business: 8:30am-5:00pm. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

The Advocate will serve as an intensive support system for minor victims of sex trafficking. ?The advocate will work within a continuum of care model, alongside the TRIAD Care Coordinator and professionals from law enforcement, the juvenile justice and child welfare systems and other community service providers. Responsibilities include:

• Work to respond to calls from the Care Coordinator on a 24/7 rotating basis
• Respond to call out location within 90 minutes to provide emotional support, basic needs, comforts, advocacy, and safety planning for the minor
• Provide intensive support for minor during the first 72 hours
• Follow required minimum contact protocol with victim-survivor throughout service period
• Participate in Rapid Response Team to participate in emergency placement and follow-up service planning
• Participate in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings for long-term planning for youth
• Maintain supportive contact with survivor and appropriate parent/guardian, on an intensive basis, throughout the service delivery period
• Create referrals to other providers for additional services
• Accompany victims to necessary meetings and/or appointments
• Maintain accurate documentation and enter applicable information into web-based data management system
• Participate in weekly supervision meetings with Trafficked Assistance Program Coordinator
• Attend relevant trainings and conferences to advance knowledge and skill set
• Completion of required trainings per YMCA of Greater Houston policy