Job Description: Mental Health Partners MESA Volunteer Advocate

Title: MESA Volunteer Advocate

Supervised by: Volunteer Coordinator, MESA/MHP

Time Required: On-call 30 hours total each month; two evening meetings (per month); paperwork

Training Provided: minimum 40 hours of multidisciplinary training by MESA/MHP

1. General Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a volunteer/unpaid position through Mental Health Partners and MESA. Volunteers must first pass a background check before volunteering as an advocate. Volunteer advocates commit to staffing a 24-hour crisis/in-person response line to provide in-person crisis intervention, emotional support, legal and medical advocacy, information, and referrals for survivors of sexual violence, their friends, and family.

1. 2. Specific Tasks

• Provide in-person response for survivors of sexual violence, their friends and family.
• Supply immediate emotional support, information and referrals to sexual assault survivors and their significant others.
• Act as an advocate for the client during law enforcement investigations; the criminal justice process; courtroom appearances; and medical procedures, including evidence exam.

Definition of Duties:

• Be on-call during assigned shifts, a minimum of 30 hours a month
• Provide emotional support, information and referrals to sexual assault clients and their loved ones.
• Collaborate with other agencies (law enforcement, hospital personnel, etc.) to benefit clients and coordinate care.
• Provide thorough and appropriate follow-up, support, and referral services, as needed for each client.
• Protect the confidentiality of all clients, except when mandatory reporting applies, and to provide counseling according to generally accepted ethical principles.
• Complete all MESA paperwork and data collection within 48 hours of the end of the on-call shift.
• Follow the MESA Fundamental Guidelines.
• Attend all required monthly team and supervision group meetings. Monthly meetings are 1 ½ hours the first Thursday of each month. Supervision groups meet once a month for 2 hours.
• Communicate with staff about scheduling conflicts or changes.
  • Ensure clients are aware of the Victim’s Rights legislation that entitles them to be informed, present and heard at critical stages of the criminal justice process.