Job description:
Job Title: Shelter Family Advocate
Reports To: Shelter Team Lead
FSLA Status: Non-Exempt (full time)
Prepared Date: March 2026
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc is an equal employment opportunity employer
Summary:
This position provides direct strengths-based, client determined, trauma-informed advocacy services to adult and youth survivors of domestic abuse residing in shelter and transitional housing through emotional support, parent support, crisis intervention, advocacy, domestic abuse education, safety planning, and education to assist individuals and families with safety stabilization, housing, and education and access to community resources. Responsible for assisting clients transitioning out of shelter to connect with Empowerment services, along with networking and collaborating with other community agencies to provide removal of barriers to self-sufficiency.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Providing advocacy services to shelter clients including but not limited to:
- Provide advocacy and assessment of needs for shelter clients.
- Develop support plans/goals for adult clients and monitor progress and client feedback.
- Assist clients with housing resources, vouchers, gift cards, YMCA membership signup, fund requests, material assistance, resident verification paperwork and as needed restraining orders.
- Educate clients on and provide appropriate referrals to community agencies and co-advocate with these agencies.
- Provide emotional support, domestic abuse education and safety planning to clients as needed.
- Provide support and referrals for parents in developing positive parenting skills.
- Meet individually with youth who are staying in shelter and the transitional housing program.
- Coordinate school enrollment and transportation for youth in shelter.
- Provide respite for youth in shelter as needed.
- Support shelter guidelines and expectations for residents as outlined in the shelter expectations
- Complete 2nd intakes of shelter clients.
- Explain shelter policies and procedures to all shelter residents and readdress as needed.
- Coordinate and facilitate support groups, rent smart and learning opportunities that promote self-care, education and economic independence.
- Cofacilitate evening Peer Support Groups with Shelter Team Lead and any other support group based on client needs.
- Assist in the coordination of resident activities in shelter. Coordinate once a month family activity night in shelter.
- Assist with planning and facilitating youth summer Field Trips in collaboration with the Youth Team.
- Assist with coordination of Children’s Program.
- Record and provide input on statistics and documentation of client contacts, success stories and narratives for grant reporting.
- Be able to articulate statistics, trends, needs and challenges of clients with a trauma informed approach.
- Maintain an awareness of all shelter client cases, maintain client files, reporting and statistics and coordinate and provide services as needed.
- Work as a personal liaison for clients transitioning from shelter to Empowerment services and from outreach to shelter to ensure a smooth transition.
- Work in partnership with all internal CADASI teams for the greater good of the clients.
- Coordinate and assist with overall shelter operations, including review and update shelter forms and procedures as needed.
- Represent the agency in participating in community collaborations, committees and events. Attend Winnebagoland Housing Coalition meetings.
- Provide information and/or assistance for persons needing information regarding youth and domestic violence.
- Attend Team Meetings as scheduled.
- Coordinate with the Shelter Team Lead to ensure shelter coverage needs are met.
- Provide support for CADASI’s helpline and walk-ins as needed.
- Responsible for on-call duties as scheduled and back up for the Crisis Team.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- This job requires no supervision of staff
This position is also responsible for additional job duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education / Experience
- Preferred bachelor’s degree in human services, social services or similar degree or similar experience.
- Experience working with families and youth is required.
- Experience or knowledge of community programs and other services in Winnebago and Green Lake Counties.
- Experience working with individuals of diverse populations providing advocacy, referrals and assistance is preferred.
- Experience working with domestic abuse.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid driver's license, car and adequate insurance required.
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to maintain records is a requirement.
- Ability to communicate clearly is necessary, including speaking understandably and comprehending oral conversation.
- Must be able to speak, read and write English.
- High level of initiative and organizational skills.
- Must be able to work alone.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Background in working with diverse populations helpful.
- Must be able to handle evolving or crisis situations with flexibility, sensitivity and reason.
- Must be able to work under pressure
- Must be a creative problem solver
- Must be able to uphold all confidentiality policies
Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Most work will be performed at the Christine Ann Main Office in Oshkosh.
- Some nights and weekends are required.
- Some work will be performed in facilities and agencies around the county.
- Independently enter and move within buildings and walk staircases.
- Ability to lift and move objects weighing approximately 25 pounds.
Pay: $18.27 - $20.19 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Shelter: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
