Child Advocacy Specialist

Child Advocacy Specialist

Corporate Office - UFCU - AUSTIN, TX 78759

Salary Range $50,000.00 Salary/year

Overview

We are looking for a Child Advocacy Specialist (CAS) who can supervise volunteers as they advocate for the most vulnerable children in Travis County.

CASA of Travis County believes every child who's experienced abuse or neglect deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school, and in our community. To accomplish this, the team at CASA educates and empowers community volunteers who ensure each child's needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system. Through honorable and respectful involvement with families, courts and all parties, CASA makes independent and educated recommendations that prioritize children's safety and, wherever possible, preserve connections to their families.

As a CAS, you will guide and supervise a team of volunteer advocates by providing guidance, coaching and feedback as they advocate for the best interest of the children to whom they are assigned. Advocacy occurs in a variety of settings including courtrooms, classrooms and medical and therapy settings. You will be expected to work effectively with families and legal parties with varying experiences and perspectives, as well as exhibit an understanding of child and family advocacy issues as it relates to the child welfare system.

At the end of your first year, success would mean managing a team of 18-20 volunteers with a full caseload with a clear understanding of CASA's, trauma-informed care principles, and CASA's role within the child welfare system.

The CAS is a critical role to move CASA of Travis County towards meeting our vision of quality advocacy, a safe home and a promising future for every child in Travis County.

Responsibilities

1. Supervises volunteer advocates in their role as "Court Appointed Special Advocates" (CASA) and Guardians ad Litem for the children to whom CASA of Travis County is appointed.

• Supervises no more than 18-20 volunteer advocates (unless multiple volunteers are assigned to a single family group) and a maximum of 30 family groups (with the optimum being 22-25 family groups). Caseloads and numbers of volunteers supervised will be reduced proportionately for employees working in this position on a less than full-time basis.
• Along with the Volunteer Advocate, attends and participates in case related meetings as necessary or as requested by the Volunteer Advocate.
• Attends and participates in all related court hearings, providing assistance and coaching of volunteer advocate regarding court reports, court attendance and testimony.
• Provides volunteer advocates information and professional contacts regarding community resources, including placement options, emergency funds, and counseling.
• Facilitates provision of direct services such as food, lodging and emergency funds.
• Provides information and resources related to Crime Victim's Compensation and the Texas State-wide Automated Notification System (SAVNS).
• Guides and supervises volunteer advocates in their participation in placement selections by reading home studies and consulting as information is gathered and partners with the volunteer advocates in making recommendations to the Court.
• Assists the volunteer advocates in identifying permanency planning issues for children while steadily moving the case forward toward the goal of a safe and permanent placement.
• Attends and participates in volunteer related events for recruitment and retention, including but not limited to Swearing In ceremonies, volunteer meet-ups, and volunteer appreciation events.
• Completes annual volunteer evaluations and provides regular coaching of Volunteer Advocates.
• Fulfills the performance standards as outlined by Praesidium, through monitoring and supervision, incident reporting, shadowing of Volunteer Advocates, QA calls, and other tasks as assigned.
• For any child not seen by an advocate within the prescribed time, without an approved exception, CAS program staff must see the child within 10 days.
• Along with the Volunteer Advocate, works collaboratively with other professionals.

2. Provides informed and consistent guidance, coaching and feedback to volunteer Advocates as well as encouragement and praise.

• Provides timely notification of staffings, meetings, and court hearings to volunteer advocates.
• Provides guidance, assistance and review of volunteer advocates' written and oral reports to the Court.
• Leads onboarding of new volunteer advocates and provides ongoing training and continuing education to volunteer advocates as needed.
• Provides consistent contact in the process of maintaining and fostering relationships between the volunteer advocate and other professionals in legal, social welfare, educational and therapeutic areas/organizations, as well as between the volunteer advocate and the children/families we serve.
• Enhances volunteer advocate engagement and retention by coaching new skills, evaluating the volunteer advocate's experience, and by matching the volunteer advocate with future cases based on strengths and skills and in accordance with CASA policy.
• Coaches volunteer advocates if they are not meeting expectations and provides feedback in order to empower advocates to be successful in their role.

3. Ensures the high standard of performance of services of CASA of Travis County

• Models a commitment to child safety, and volunteer engagement.
• Participates in regular supervision with their Program Manager.
• Supports team members by providing coverage for meetings and court hearings and with volunteer advocates as needed.
• Maintains accurate and complete case records by empowering volunteer advocates and ensuring quality.
• Maintains accurate and complete documentation of volunteer advocate supervision records.
• Submits accurate and timely case and volunteer report data as directed by Program Manager and/or Director of Data and Evaluation.
• Attends and participates in continuing education opportunities per policy.
• Assists with program development and evaluation as directed by Sr. Director of Advocacy and Chief Program Officer.
• Attends and actively participates in required CASA meetings.
• Participates in committees as needed.
• When assignment of a volunteer advocate is not appropriate or possible, serves as the guardian ad litem on assigned cases, meeting or exceeding the minimum expectations of CASA.

4. Other responsibilities include:

• Assists Director of Volunteer Engagement with volunteer advocate training and retention efforts, which may include some evening and weekend events.
• Assists with fundraising events as needed.
• Attends and participates in community meetings as directed by Program Manager or Sr. Director of Advocacy.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree is required however, in lieu of a degree, significant professional relevant experience may be considered.

• Spanish fluency preferred.

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

• Demonstrated ability to concisely and clearly convey and interpret information to and from others, orally and in writing.

• Demonstrated ability to work under time constraints, be goal-oriented and maintain productive and effective performance and interaction with Volunteer Advocates and clients.

• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with others, regardless of differing perspectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of child and family advocacy issues as it relates to the child welfare system.

• Demonstrated resilience, flexibility and self-awareness.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The Child Advocacy Specialist will be expected to have daily transportation to attend court hearings, staffings, visitations, fundraising events, etc. The position requires a flexible schedule, as visits with Advocates may occur in the evenings or on weekends. They will spend some time in the office that could involve intermittent physical activities including bending, reaching, sitting and walking during working hours. Additionally, it is anticipated that the person may spend several hours of each day seated at a personal computer.