Supervisor of Casa Volunteers/staff Advocate - South Bend, United States - St. Joseph Probate Court

Description

Benefits include:

Free Health Clinic for all employees and immediate family members on employee insurance plan; affordable health, vision and dental insurance; free gym membership; Enrollment in PERF (Public Employee Retirement Fund).

Position:
Supervisor of CASA Volunteers/Staff Advocate

Opening Date: 1/2/2024


Closing Date:
Until Filled

Salary:
_
This is a grant funded position; _Annual salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.


Department:
Probate Court
Location: Probate Court/JJC

Status:
Full Time

Job Category:
COMOT (Computer, Office Machine Operation, Technician)

FLSA Status:
Non-exempt

Description:

Incumbent 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.

The role of the Staff Advocate is separate and distinct from that of a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer.

Appointment of a CASA volunteer remains the preferred model of providing an advocate for abused and neglected children, and it is the goal that every child in a dependency proceeding be appointed a CASA volunteer.

When that is not possible, however, appointment of a Staff Advocate to serve as the child's advocate may occur.

This position combines the Supervisor of CASA Volunteers and Staff Advocate responsibilities. This is a grant funded position.


Essential Functions:

• 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).
• 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.
• Assign new cases to CASA volunteers in a timely manner.
• Attend weekly staff meeting.
• Conducts case conferences with volunteers on an as needed basis.
• Provides support and assistance to volunteers during home visits if requested.
• Informs volunteers in a timely manner of court hearings, case conferences, or meetings. Represents volunteers in court when necessary and/or requested.
• Offers guidance to CASA volunteers in preparation of court reports, if necessary.
• Maintains current and accurate office data for each case assigned.
• Maintains current and accurate statistical information on status of each child, case, and CASA volunteer.
• Maintains any other form used to gather statistical or outcome information.
• 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.
• Participates in planning and implementation of ongoing in-service training.
• Represents Executive Director when requested.
• Has working knowledge of the Juvenile Justice Center's QUEST computer system and Optima database system.
• Attend appropriate training, conferences, or work-shops that will enhance job performance.
• Client confidentiality required.
• Perform additional tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the agency.
• The Staff Advocate will ensure that children to whom they are appointed receive sound advocacy and early permanency planning.
• Complete program's initial training session for volunteer advocates.
• Upon initial appointment to a case, interview the child, parents, relatives, foster parents, teachers, DCS Family Case Manager, and others involved with the situation.
• Review all records relevant to the case.
• Participate in development of initial case plans when possible.
• Visit each child assigned in placement setting at least monthly.
• Visit each child's school and interview teachers/other staff regarding school performance at least quarterly.
• Discuss day to day functioning of each child with parents/relatives/ caregiver at least quarterly.
• Meet with service providers prior to review hearings and permanency hearings.
• Attend Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTMs) on each case.
• Identify whether active and reasonable efforts to reunify the child and his/her birth family are being provided.
• Monitor implementation of and progress with court-ordered services and plan.
• Bring unmet needs and/or other concerns to attention of DCS Family Case Manager.
• Participate in regular case staffing with CASA Executive Director.
• Write and submit reports to the court.
• Attend all review and permanency court hearings on each case, and be prepared to take notes on all cases heard in court.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic case files.
• Assist with completion of case statistics reports as requested.
• Complete work time sheets.

JOB
REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

• Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited coll