Advocate Coordinator

CASA of Maury County, Inc.

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Job Summary

The Advocate Coordinator provides professional staff support to CASA Volunteer Advocates so that children who are victims of abuse and neglect, coming before the Maury County Juvenile Court, will receive sound advocacy and permanency, as soon as possible.  CASA works to ensure individual case preparation for the best interest of the child is the goal in all court proceedings and meetings.

The Advocate Coordinator is responsible for coordination of cases with Volunteer Advocates as well as program documentation for the CASA Case.  The Advocate Coordinator works under the supervision of the Executive Director and with other Advocate Coordinators to keep documentation in all case files current, supervising Volunteer Advocates in the process and steps of managing CASA cases, communicates with all Advocates, and coordinates activities with Volunteer Advocates, such as management of case communication, visits with children and caregivers, documenting information from visits, attending team meetings with the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and other providers.  The Advocate Coordinator coordinates the training, in-service opportunities, and Advocate appreciation activities and events. National CASA Standards direct that a full-time Advocate Coordinator can supervise up to 30 CASA Volunteer Advocates.

 

Job Responsibilities

Supervision of CASA Volunteer Advocates including Recruitment, Screening, & Training

• Complete CASA Volunteer Advocate Pre-service Training online, immediately upon hire (if not already a trained CASA). 
• Complete Training of Facilitators online through National CASA/GAL, upon hire, and through Tennessee CASA at next course offering in July 2021. 
• Participate/Lead ongoing CASA Volunteer Advocate recruitment via Social Media and other marketing avenues.
• Screen and interview prospective CASA Volunteer Advocates.
• Supervise Volunteer Advocates as assigned by the Executive Director in Case Management responsibilities as outlined below.
• Document and manage Volunteer Advocate files with application, reference checks, background checks, interview notes, attendance at training, and all applicable application and pre-screening procedures.
• Schedule and coordinate training classes and attend classes in the role of a co-facilitator, co-moderator and/or co-presenter

Case Management

• Work as a team with other Advocate Coordinators and Executive Director.
• Coordinate, document, and channel all CASA requests to other team members, as needed, until resolution.
• Match CASA cases with appropriate volunteers in consultation with the Executive Director and other Coordinators.
• Track hours, mileage, and activities for Volunteer Advocates as directed by the Executive Director.
• Keep case files current to document for grantors’ reports. 
• Go through online tutorials for CASA Manager database during first month of hire. Keep CASA Manager  updated on cases and advocates in coordination with other Advocate Coordinators.
• Keep necessary and appropriate child records for each case, requesting documents for academic progress, physical health, mental health, and other related documents for child records in cases.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 and Sharepoint is necessary for case management.
• Assist CASA Volunteer Advocates and other staff in the completion of Victims of Crime Assessments and Client Outcome Survey Questionnaires for each case. 
• Keep track of all monthly reports and documentation from Volunteer Advocates. Tally information quarterly for grant reports.
• Consult with CASA Volunteer Advocates throughout the month to check in and discuss any updates and concerns with cases.
• Collection of Volunteer Advocate Monthly Reports and collection of information and data as directed by the Executive Director.
• Support all Volunteer Advocates, attend Juvenile Court, Child & Family Team Meetings (CFTMs), and Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) meetings for all Cases.
• Assist CASA Volunteer Advocates in preparation, review and edit of Confidential Case Court Reports before Case hearing in Juvenile Court.  

Ongoing Oversight of Volunteer Advocates

• Through coordination with the CASA Volunteer Advocate, ensures individual case preparation for the representation of the best interest of the children is the goal in all court proceedings and meetings.
• Work as a team with Advocate Coordinators and Executive Director on cases in preparation for court. 
• Provide guidance to CASA Volunteer Advocates as needed and when requested.
• Help develop initial case plans and on-going strategies for advocacy.
• Attend all court hearings and track court dates, keeping notes for case updates.
• Consult with appropriate Department of Children Services (DCS) staff regarding client needs and Volunteer Advocate appointments, coordinating these with the Executive Director and other CASA staff.
• In coordination with the Executive Director and other Coordinators, review, approve, and distribute volunteer advocate court reports.
• In coordination with the Executive Director and other Coordinators, coordinate in-service training opportunities to fulfill the 12-hours required by National CASA Standards for all CASA volunteer advocates.
• In coordination with the Executive Director and other Coordinators, coordinate volunteer appreciation activities.
• Participate in volunteer evaluations as assigned and coordinated by the Executive Director.

Program Activities

• Represent CASA of Maury County, Inc. with respect, honor, and a positive attitude.
• Attend conferences/seminars/meetings to fulfill annual in-service requirements.
• Attend staff meetings as directed by the Executive Director.
• Submit monthly and/or quarterly reports of activities, i.e. public relations, community awareness, service provider network meetings, vignettes of child stories, and other data/information as requested by the Executive Director.
• Maintain consistent CASA Manager database management for children, cases, volunteers and hours.
• Participate in community awareness events as requested/directed by the Executive Director.
• Assist in locating and engaging/developing relationship with community resources as needed.
• Make presentations as requested to increase community awareness of CASA’s role in ensuring the best possible outcomes for abused and neglected children in Juvenile Court.
• Cultivates relationships with the Juvenile Court Staff, DCS staff, attorneys who serve as Guardian ad litem (GAL) and attorneys who represent other parties to the case.
• Participates in fundraisers of CASA of Maury County as directed by Executive Director.

Qualifications

The Volunteer Coordinator should have the following skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.  It is preferred that this degree be in social service, education, or criminal justice, but applicants will be considered with professional experience in child development, psychology, advocacy, nonprofit management and related fields.  One year of experience in the nonprofit or social service field is preferred.
• The ability to communicate, coordinate, supervise, and empower CASA Volunteer Advocates to be effective in their roles. 
• Experience supervising and coordinating volunteers.
• The ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all people in the child welfare system, i.e., judicial staff, service providers, DCS staff, foster parents, and anyone else who may participate in a CASA appointment. 
• Knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics within families in crisis relating to child abuse and neglect.
• An attitude of respect, non-judgmental and empathetic behavior toward clients, being sensitive to values and beliefs of different cultures and backgrounds.
• Computer skills in Word, Excel, Access and/or database management.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, i.e., the ability to write effective court reports, present information in meetings and court with respect and in a concise manner including public speaking about CASA.
• Work schedule has flexibility; Position requires some early evening visits, on occasion, as necessary for training and volunteer/case needs.
• Reliable transportation, with valid TN Driver’s license, and insurance.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with children, families, staff, and personal issues.
• Commitment to CASA’s goals and mission.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Please send cover email or letter with resume to jobs@casaofmaurycounty.org

 

Details

• Date Posted: October 5, 2020
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Programs and Service Delivery
• Service Area: Children / Youth
• Start Date: 10/26/2020
• Salary Range: $36,000-$42,000
• Working Hours: 40 hrs/week; Flexible depending on case management, volunteer management and training