Founded in 1978, Family Advocates is the parent agency for two major programs: Families First and CASA

• The Families First program works to help parents keep their families strong and give their children the best possible start in life. Professionally trained parent educators conduct home visits to work one-on-one with families. Educators and parents work together to increase confidence in parenting skills, connect to services and resources, reduce stress and isolation through parent group meetings, and improve educational outcomes for children.

• The CASA program works to improve the lives of children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. The majority are under the age of six, the least able to speak in their own defense. CASA matches a trained volunteer, called a Guardian ad Litem, with each child. It is the volunteer’s job to serve as an independent and objective advocate and provide the judge with carefully researched background information of the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child’s future.

Job Title: CASA Volunteer Supervisor

Reports to: CASA Program Manager

Family Advocates serves more than 1,000 children each year through two important programs:

1. The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program is committed to the protection and healing of abused and neglected children. More than 250 volunteers donate 15,000 hours annually to advocate for children placed in foster care each year. Children assigned a CASA volunteer spend 50% less time in long-term foster care and 98% do not re-enter the child protection system. The program serves 100% of the children placed in child protection system in Ada, Elmore, Valley and Boise counties
2. We hope one day our Families First program will put CASA out of business. The program is a family strengthening and child abuse prevention program committed to helping parents keep their families strong and safe to give their children the best possible start in life. Professionally trained and certified Parent Educators work one-on-one with parents to increase confidence in parenting skills, access to services and resources, reduce isolation, and help children enter kindergarten healthy and ready to become lifelong learners. Over 1,000 home visits are conducted each year with high needs families facing unmet medical needs and other risk-factors when they enter the program such as poverty, homelessness, single-parent parenting, teen parents, refugee status, English as a second language, homelessness, unemployment, grandparents as parents, substance abuse and/or mental illness.

Job Summary

Advocate for child victims of crime by recruiting, screening, training, supporting, supervising and recognizing 30-40 Guardian Ad Litem volunteers. Match child victims of crime with appropriate Guardians and Guardian Attorney as rapidly as possible. Attend court hearings as necessary to advocate for children. Review each volunteer Guardian Ad Litem’s court reports to ensure quality standards are met. Monitor volunteer Guardian Ad Litem’s activity reports to ensure child victims of crime receive court ordered services and meeting academic goals. Facilitate and teach CASA training institute modules and in-service trainings to improve Guardians understanding of impact of all child protection matters including physical and sexual abuse and domestic violence on child crime victims. Pair each new volunteer with a CASA connector for mentoring. Maintain volunteer activity records to track progress and compliance. Work with program manager to define strategic objectives and solve developing issues with volunteers, other agencies. Support the CASA program manager in the effective maintenance of the district wide Guardian ad Litem program. This is a full time, exempt position.

Ensure productive management of volunteer Guardians and attorneys through effective recruitment, selection, placement, training, supervision, evaluation, and recognition.

• Provide technical support to volunteers through modeling, offering constructive feedback, assisting with report writing, and providing other case pertinent information.
• Review case-related paperwork to ensure accuracy and completion of cases.
• Advise volunteers on court and agency procedures, interaction with caseworkers, other service providers etc.
• Stay current and provide on-going training of volunteers on legal changes in federal and state statutes governing child protection issues.
• Prioritize acceptance of cases involving abused and neglected children.
• Select and assign volunteers and attorneys to child protection cases.
• Travel to outlying counties (Valley, Elmore, Boise) to develop and maintain the program within the boundaries of the 4th Judicial District.
• Attend hearings, conduct home visits, as needed, to assist volunteer.
• Testify in court as needed.
• Participate in public speaking assignments as assigned.
• Ensure a positive and respectful relationship with all agencies that intersect with the Family Advocates.
• This position will have an emphasis in coordinating volunteer training required to become a volunteer as well as on-going continuing education available to all volunteers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social science field, social work, education, sociology, psychology or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience in volunteer management and ability to effectively train others.
• Ability to function in legal/court situations and with bureaucratic and social service agencies.
• Computer skills in word-processing and databases.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Awareness that position involves on the job exposure to infectious diseases and blood borne pathogens, (i.e. AIDS, rubella, measles, hepatitis, etc.)
• Experience/Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Have access to transportation, have a valid driver’s license and proof of car insurance
• Able to lift 30 pounds
• Submit and pass a criminal background check.
• Ability to perform essential duties efficiently and accurately with or without reasonable accommodations and without endangering incumbent or other employees.

Family Advocates is an Equal Opportunity Employer

To Apply:
Submit a Resume and Coverletter to information@familyadvocate.org before September 2, 2011.