Job Description:  

Serves as Supervisor of CASA Volunteers/Staff Advocate for the St. Joseph County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA), responsible for supervising activities of department volunteers and serving as a child advocate.

Essential Functions 

1. Supervision of CASA volunteers who are assigned by the Probate Court to advocate for the best interests of a child who has been adjudicated a Child In Need of Services (CHINS).

2. Responsible for maintaining personal telephone contact with assigned CASA volunteer a minimum of once a month and having knowledge of the status of each case that has been assigned.

3. Assign new cases to CASA volunteers in a timely manner.

4. Attend weekly staff meeting.

5. Conducts case conferences with volunteers on an as needed basis.

6. Provides support and assistance to volunteers during home visits if requested.

7. Informs volunteers in a timely manner of court hearings, case conferences, or meetings.

Represents volunteers in court when necessary and/or requested.

8. Offers guidance to CASA volunteers in preparation of court reports, if necessary.

9. Informs CASA Program Coordinator of any changes in status, address, telephone

number, e-mail address, or fax number of CASA volunteers and/or service providers.

10. Maintains current and accurate office data for each case assigned.

11. Maintains current and accurate statistical information on status of each child, case, and

CASA volunteer.

12. Maintains any other form used to gather statistical or outcome information.

13. Assists in preparing CASA volunteer for trial by arranging a meeting with the Executive

Director, volunteer, DCS Family Case Manager, and attorneys regarding the case.

14. Assists with volunteer recruitment, screening and training; fielding inquiries, reviewing

applications, participates in volunteer interviews, assists in planning training sessions on

an as needed basis and when requested by the Executive Director.

15. Participates in planning and implementation of ongoing in-service training.

16. Represents Executive Director when requested.

17. Has working knowledge of the Juvenile Justice Center’s QUEST computer system and

Optima database system.

18. Attend appropriate training, conferences, or work-shops that will enhance job

performance.

19. Client confidentiality required.

20. Perform additional tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the

agency.

21. The Staff Advocate will ensure that children to whom they are appointed receive sound

advocacy and early permanency planning.

22. Complete program's initial training session for volunteer advocates.

23. Upon initial appointment to a case, interview the child, parents, relatives, foster parents,

teachers, DCS Family Case Manager, and others involved with the situation.

24. Review all records relevant to the case.

25. Participate in development of initial case plans when possible.

26. Visit each child assigned in placement setting at least monthly.

27. Visit each child’s school and interview teachers/other staff regarding school

performance at least quarterly.

28. Discuss day to day functioning of each child with parents/relatives/caregiver at least

quarterly.

29. Meet with service providers prior to review hearings and permanency hearings.

30. Attend Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTMs) on each case.

31. Identify whether active and reasonable efforts to reunify the child and his/her birth

family are being provided.

32. Monitor implementation of and progress with court-ordered services and plan.

33. Bring unmet needs and/or other concerns to attention of DCS Family Case Manager.

34. Participate in regular case staffing with CASA Executive Director.

35. Write and submit reports to the court.

36. Attend all review and permanency court hearings on each case, and be prepared to take

notes on all cases heard in court.

37. Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic case files.

38. Assist with completion of case statistics reports as requested.

39. Complete work time sheets.

Qualifications:

Minimum of two years case management experience in a social service setting.  Knowledge of the juvenile court process with experience working with at-risk children and their families required.   Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office coupled with multi-tasking skills in a fast-paced office setting.          Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology or a related field required.  

Work Schedule:  Monday-Friday; 8:30am-4:30pm; Occasional evenings and weekends