AmeriCorps Members (enhanced internship)

• 450 hours (term of service) or 675

• Deliver/involve yourself with online intervention

• Attend training with Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

• Community outreach

• Networking between programs

Service Position Title: Domestic Violence Safety Advocate

Service Location: Domestic violence agencies and shelters throughout Arizona

Service Impact: The primary objective of the AmeriCorps member is to serve survivors of domestic violence at domestic violence shelters in our community. This service includes attending domestic violence trainings; delivery of an evidence-based, survivor-focused safety planning intervention; and supporting staff and residents in the domestic violence shelter.

Supervisor: The AmeriCorps member will be supervised by a site supervisor at the domestic violence agency. In most cases, the site supervisor will be a MSW-level social worker.

Service Position Summary: Through the AmeriCorps program, members will spend up to 450 providing direct services to survivors of domestic violence. In particular, the AmeriCorps member will deliver an evidence-based safety planning intervention using an internet-based safety decision aid. This intervention has been shown to reduce decisional conflict and enhance help-seeking among domestic violence survivors. AmeriCorps members may additionally support staff and residents in the domestic violence shelter through service delivery, childcare, facility maintenance, assisting with court appearances, and other tasks agreed upon by the AmeriCorps member and the site supervisor. Each AmeriCorps member will spend up to 20% of the 450 hour term-of-service attending in-person and web-based trainings on domestic violence, safety planning, survivor-centered advocacy, trauma-informed care, risk assessment, privileged communication, evidence-based practice in domestic violence intervention, and other areas of interest. These trainings will be provided by the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. The AmeriCorps member is expected to develop and sustain positive relationships with community partners and survivors of domestic violence as a representative of AmeriCorps and Arizona State University. Community fieldwork will require regular documentation and supervision.   

Essential Functions of Position:

• Provide direct services to survivors of domestic violence

• Implement an evidence-based safety planning intervention with survivors of domestic violence

• Assist community partner with essential functions of the domestic violence agency as agreed upon by the AmeriCorps volunteer and site supervisor

• Maintain positive relationships in the community

• Document time spent and services provided

• Complete domestic violence and AmeriCorps training

• Develop professional skills through ongoing supervision

Marginal Functions of Position: AmeriCorps members may be additionally asked to assist in essential functions of the domestic violence agency related to shelter services, community outreach and education, training, and promoting community partnerships.

Principal Working Relationships: Community site supervisor/MSW-level supervisor, clients/survivors of domestic violence, AmeriCorps program manager, Internship field liaison (as applicable), AmeriCorps colleagues and staff

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Professional conduct including competent writing, timely response to emails and other communication, and respectful conversation with clients and shelter staff. Members will be provided training regarding domestic violence and expected to implement interventions based on best practices and current research. Members will represent AmeriCorps and ASU as a community partner and will be expected to wear AmeriCorps member clothing/pins and maintain appropriate conduct.

Academic and Experience Qualifications: Current ASU undergraduate or graduate student in good academic standing with an interest in serving survivors of domestic violence.

Commitment Required: 450 total hours to be completed before August 2019

Training: No more than 90 hours of training provided by the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

Program Benefits: AmeriCorps members can utilize this experience for course credit, internship credit (including MSW and BSW internships), and volunteer hours. AmeriCorps members will be provided with the following benefits: certifications in domestic violence, survivor-centered advocacy, trauma-informed care, and privileged communication; supervision by a trained MSW-level practitioner or domestic violence advocate; and a cash scholarship and the Segal Education Award.

The cash scholarship is distributed during the fall and spring semesters; the education award, once a member has completed their term of service. The Segal Education Award can be used toward tuition or paying back student loans. AmeriCorps members can use this experience for course credit in accordance with their academic units policy.   

 

 

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands: This AmeriCorps member position requires maturity and compassion due to the trauma faced by domestic violence survivors. AmeriCorps members are required to learn about domestic violence, evidence-based interventions and implementation of best practices. Some services are offered online and applicants should be comfortable and familiar with basic technology problem solving. All members will be required to arrange consistent transportation to and from their designated sites. Each applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to their start date.

To apply for a Survivor Link scholarship position: Fill out our brief online questionairre: https://goo.gl/forms/LUzgIk7yv54mjh642

Contact: To learn more about the available opportunities, contact Megan Lindsay (mlindsa3@asu.edu) or Jill Messing (Jill.Messing@asu.edu, 602-496-1193).

 

Arizona State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, relation, age or veteran status in the University’s services, educational programs, and activities, including, but not limited to, admission to and employment by the University.