Direct Care Associate

Refuge for Women is a non-profit, faith-based organization providing specialized care for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation. With multiple locations across the U.S., Refuge for Women offers safe housing, at no charge to the resident, with around-the-clock care as clients progress through evidence-based, trauma-informed programming. The compassionate staff is trained to help residents work through the program to reclaim their identities and reach their goals to overcome addictions, heal from trauma and develop life skills leading to healthy, balanced living and financial independence. Refuge for Women strives to help each woman complete the program with a vision for her future, equipped to succeed and sustain a life marked with dignity and hope.

Refuge for Women is a faith-based organization and it is important for staff to share the same basic values and expectations held by Refuge for Women. We require that all staff are believers in Jesus Christ. Read our Statement of Faith.

Must be able to successfully pass a background check and drug test upon receiving an offer of employment.

To view Refuge for Women's benefits, click HERE.

Position Overview:

The Direct Care Associate (DCA)  works in the program house during the assigned shift to maintain a safe healing environment for residents and provide consistent operations by upholding the program model and resident guidelines. The DCA will maintain strong leadership in any situation, including conflict resolution, crisis response and handling difficult relational dynamics. In addition, she will communicate effectively with residents and hold them accountable as they progress through the program and learn successful life skills. DCAs model healthy relational boundaries in a home environment with the residents and ensure day-to-day program and house activities are carried out.

Your team contribution:

The DCA is an integral part of the program. They’re on shift when the Program Director isn’t. It’s their responsibility to keep the home running smoothly and to hold residents accountable to the program model. 

You’ll be successful if:

This is more than “just a job” to you. You see it as a way to build into women and help them grow toward their goals. In addition, you see holding firm boundaries as necessary to truly benefit the women you serve. You’re the perfect balance of knowing when to hold a resident accountable and when to encourage. 

Summary of Responsibilities

• Assist program director in carrying out day-to-day activities with the residents
• Follow procedures for crisis or other unexpected situations with residents that may arise during assigned shift
• Complete Communication Log for program director at end of each shift
• Provide pertinent feedback to program directors to ensure continued progress and success of residents 
• Uphold resident guidelines, schedule and program requirements during assigned shift
• Work with program director, staff, volunteers or other shift leaders to coordinate and provide transportation for medical, recovery meetings, church, grocery shopping, training and employment activities as needed

• Work with volunteer coordinator as needed for planned volunteer activities and provide input about potential volunteer activities or items needed for the safe house
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings and development activities
• Encourage residents in completion of assigned tasks and classwork as they progress through the program

Skills and Expectations

• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong servant leadership and teamwork skills
• Teachable, self-motivated, organized
• Loving but firm temperament, willing to take initiative in stressful situations
• Firm personal boundaries
• Conflict resolution skills

Qualifications

• Proficiency with emergency or crisis procedures
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle safely and confidently at all times of day or night
• Knowledge about addict behaviors and trauma is very helpful
• Familiarity with 12-step or similar healing and recovery program (e.g. Celebrate Recovery)