Advocate Advisor

This is a position which supports direct services to victims by providing supervision and support to the volunteer who is providing direct service to children and families in crisis.

Advocate Advisor Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

· Supervision of volunteers in their role as advocates for children in court

· Meets with the volunteers monthly, at a minimum

· Reviews each case and child's progress with the volunteer

· Compile court reports and provide volunteer training and support on a one-on-one basis

· with each volunteer as well as step in to provide DVS to foster children when volunteer is not on hand.

· Maintains Volunteer Records

· Participates in staffing, assists with placement options

· Participates in program evaluation

· Attends court hearings, follow up with victim/caregiver and assist with Crime Victim

· Services as needed, as well as information and referral

· Assists in Coordinating family and client contacts

· Provides Professional Contacts to assist Advocates

· Provides Information regarding community resources

· Attend and participate in training sessions for new volunteers

· Participate in fundraising events

· Maintain statistical information in Optima

Job Accountability and Standards:

Program

• Attends and participates in staff training provided by Texas CASA
• Promotes collaboration among agencies that work with children who are abused and neglected
• Assesses the overall needs and circumstances of children who have experienced abuse or neglect and their families and works collaboratively to identify and address barriers to the child’s safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Maintains appropriate communication with personnel in courts, in child welfare agencies, and the legal community.
• Remains abreast of what programs are being implemented or considered by other CASA programs or agencies
• Attends Program Meeting with Program Director to develop awareness of current cases and volunteers, issues or resources.

Case Management:

• Knowledge of child placement locations
• Ability to clearly convey and interpret information to others, both orally and in writing
• Ability to work under time constraints and maintain effective job performance
• Ability to make decisions independently, in a consistent and timely manner
• Coordinates casework responsibilities, including family and client contacts, professional contacts, transportation, support services, linkage to community resources, court report monitoring, appearances at hearings, and maintenance of client and volunteer files
• Attends court hearings with CASA Advocate
• Provides notification of meetings and court hearings to CASA Advocate
• E-files timely, accurate reports for submission to the courts and to other involved parties provided by Advocate
• Maintains up-to-date client information in Optima, including progress notes, monthly chronological narratives, filing of reports and motions, correspondence, etc.
• Maintains client/volunteer statistics for funding and regulatory sources
• Maintains and fosters collaborative relationships with other professionals
• Evaluates volunteers on annual basis – including monitoring required hours of continuing education

Miscellaneous:

· Participates in volunteer advocate training sessions

· Participates in on-going continuing education opportunities

· Attends community meetings as agreed upon by supervisor and CEO

· Assists in program development and evaluation

· Provides input and assistance in compiling general quarterly newsletter and monthly volunteer advocate newsletter

· Participates in fundraising events

· Maintains a professional, organized environment in the daily operation of the CASA Office

· Completes special projects and tasks as assigned

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The Advocate Supervisor will be expected to have daily transportation to perform the duties of this position. The position requires a flexible schedule as visits with Advocates may occur in the evenings or on weekends. He/ She will spend some time in the office that could involve intermittent physical activities including bending, reaching, sitting, and walking. Additionally, it is anticipated that the person may spend several hours each day seated at a PC. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.

Qualifications:

· A minimum of a bachelor’s Human Services or related field preferred.

· Associates degree with at least 2 years of experience in casework services or in a similar position with Child Protective Services.

· Experience in providing staff or volunteer supervision and ability to manage people.

· Understanding of the child and family advocacy issues that include child placements options, therapeutic interventions/assessments/needs for children and families, legal intervention and rights regarding children and families, permanency planning, adoption issues and systems, advocacy in child protection cases and social, medical, and mental health fields.

· Professional demeanor in keeping with CASA’s standards

· Professional verbal and written communication skills.

· Self- starter motivated to fulfill our mission with a commitment to excellence.

· Commitment to serve all persons, regardless of race, gender, age, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation.

· Must pass all required background screenings.

Pay: $43,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $43,000 - $45,000