Crisis Response Team Volunteer

Crisis Response Team Volunteer
Posting for individuals interested in volunteering
Business Line 330.376.7022
VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM’S CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM VOLUNTEER
Victim Assistance Program (VAP), the leading expert in crisis intervention for victims of crime and trauma in Northeast Ohio, is seeking part time crisis response team volunteers to work various shifts, Monday – Friday 24/7/365 in one of our five Summit County locations, or from the comfort of your own home. Choose from a variety of shifts to fulfill your required 16 hours per month commitment….or more if you’d like…our needs fluctuate throughout the year.
Committed to diversity and to equal rights/opportunities, Victim Assistance Program does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, veteran status, military obligations, HIV status, marital/familial status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Victim Assistance Program will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities
The ideal candidate for this integral position will be someone who is passionate about helping others, understands the importance of following procedures, consistently exhibits strong professional boundaries, and has the confidence to work independently to ensure clients are provided with the best service possible.
As one of the first victim services agencies established in the United States, we are driven to expand the blueprint our founder established in 1972. We are always advancing, always changing, and always thinking of new ways to help victims of crime and trauma.
If you are passionate about using your expertise to help create a world where all victims are healed, please read on!
CHECK OUT THE SPECIFICS TO SEE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU
The Summit County crisis response team (SCCRT) volunteer provides trauma-informed services to victims, family members and communities, impacted by crisis, violence, or tragedy. The SCCRT volunteer offers immediate crisis intervention and advocacy via phone, chat, text, or in-person to address the aftermath of the client’s victimization.
Crisis Intervention
Even if you haven’t been a victim of crime yourself, you can provide an invaluable service to those facing a crisis or tragedy. What sets you apart from others is your passion, your critical thinking, and the unconditional kindness you will show to those in need.
• Provide support via phone, chat, and text to victims seeking assistance through our 24-hour hotline
• Respond on scene within 30 minutes to provide crisis intervention in the immediate aftermath of a crisis
• Assess and assist clients with their immediate needs
• Engage clients in the NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance) model of crisis intervention
• Determine when crisis intervention services have been exhausted and provide information and referrals
• Transition all clients to a full-time advocate for long-term advocacy
• Maintain open communication with the on-call supervisor to debrief after difficult cases
Advocacy
Not an advocate yet? Not to worry, you’ll gain the skills needed to help clients restore the loss of control that was taken because of their victimization.
• Conduct an intake assessment, collecting information to allow us to better assist each individual client
• Maintain a knowledge of resources and refer clients to outside entities so they may accomplish goals/tasks
• Educate clients on their rights and the application of applying or waiving their rights as a victim of crime
• Coordination of services with local law enforcement and court personnel
• Provide criminal justice education and public record case information to victims when able
Location: V:\Planning Team\New Hires\1. Job Postings © 2020, Victim Assistance Program – All Rights Reserved
Approved: 12.15.20
Administrative
Not all work is done on the front lines. You will have a significant amount of down time as the needs of victims fluctuate to
all the time, to next to none. Not only will you help the agency complete much needed tasks, but you will have the opportunity
to enhance your own skills through required trainings.
• Navigate through victim, offender, and case files through various online court systems
• Foster a professional rapport with all Summit County law enforcement agencies and detectives
• Foster a professional rapport with local hospital medical staff
• Create and update client’s electronic case files according to policy and procedure
REQUIREMENTS
Victim Assistance Program strives to provide all our volunteers with the right tools for success, we just need you to come
with a few things in your toolbox.
• A Highschool diploma
• Be age 18 years or older
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Commitment to absorbing any parking fees throughout the duration of the membership
• Reside within 25 miles of Akron’s main office address
• Commitment to absorbing the cost and engaging in state and federal background checks every five years
• Commitment to absorbing and participating in The Essentials of Victim Advocacy 40-hour course
o Volunteers are provided with a 50% discount after being accepted as a member of the team
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE APPLYING
All volunteers of Victim Assistance Program must appreciate the potential physical and psychological impact VAP
volunteering may have on their personal lives.
Volunteers may be exposed to situations which could potentially result in physical harm from victims and/or aggressors. In
addition, all volunteers of Victim Assistance Program are required to respond 24/7/365 to the needs of victims of a Summit
County mass casualty which may expose volunteers to hazardous environments.
As our goal is to respond to trauma, we do not engage in prevention, nor do we engage in activism. To ensure every victim
is provided with unbiased support, our agency remains neutral on most social justice issues. We work extremely close with
local law enforcement; we are a pro police agency and expect all our volunteers to strengthen our mission by respecting
the work of law enforcement in our community.
Finally, becoming a member of the Summit County crisis response team is a commitment we don’t take lightly. We are
protective of the clients we serve so we don’t just let anybody help because they have a big heart. Yes, a big heart is key
but, we require ongoing free training to ensure all clients are provided with superior, trauma informed services by someone
who is confident and skilled enough to do so. Volunteers can only build confidence through practice, exposure, and
experience, all three things you will gain while fulfilling your minimum 16 hours of work per month. If you are up for the
commitment, we can’t wait to get started!
TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN
We aspire to ensure the needs of our volunteers are always identified. We strive to provide volunteers with a supportive
and accessible supervisor, a beautiful trauma informed office setting, new furniture, up to date technology, security,
expansive training programs, and access to a team of knowledgeable peers.
It is our belief that if volunteers are taken care of, and volunteers have the resources to take care of themselves, then
victims will receive superior services… and that is our goal.
APPLY TODAY VICTIMASSISTANCEPROGRAM.ORG/ABOUTUS/VOLUNTEER