CASA Family Finding Advocate

Definition of Classification:

Under the supervision of the CASA Program Manager, this position works within the mission and philosophy of the CASA program. CASA trains community volunteers to advocate on behalf of youth in foster care in their school, dependency court and community. The Family Finding Advocate will work closely with the dependency court team (Judge, Social Worker, Attorney, and CASA volunteer) and CASA Volunteer Case Managers to increase a foster youth’s connections to family and caring, committed adults with the ultimate goal of finding a safe, permanent home. FFA will visit with youth, as needed, to obtain important information to assist in information gathering. FFA may carry a caseload of youth placed in out-of-county environments. Additionally, FFA may carry a caseload of up to 20 volunteers and provide case management and volunteer support in accordance with the funding contract and program goals. . Frequent evening and weekend work is required.

Description of Duties:

1. Have a solid working knowledge of all the rules, regulations, and laws that apply to the CASA program.

2. Conduct searches for, locate, engage, and connect youth in foster care with family members and other caring, committed adults to establish permanent connections for the youth.

3. Use social media platforms to search for potential family members and acquaintances.

4. Facilitate meetings in the family home and a variety of community settings to assess the connection, and provide guidance and support for youth and their families/caregivers

5. Maintain volunteer and youth files, program data base and trackers on a daily basis and assist with any related statistical and/or evaluation components.

6. Provide supervision, guidance and support to CASA advocates who are assigned to children who are dependents of the San Joaquin County Juvenile Court.

7. Assume responsibility for case assessments, service plans, and reports for each Advocate, child and family in the caseload.

8. Be a part of communicating Family Finding program and process to social workers and attorneys in the dependency system

9. Assist in the delivery of CASA recruitment/ outreach, pre-service trainings, presentations and continuing education classes.

10. Promote and maintain a sense of teamwork between CASA, other CAPC staff, Advocates, the Advisory Council, the Court, and other individuals relevant to the successful case management of each case.

11. Will participate in the training of new CASA volunteer advocates on Family Finding skills and process.

12. Represent the agency in a consistently professional manner, always modeling a commitment to the agency’s Mission and Values.

13. Network with other community agencies and participate when requested, in community and health fairs and other events designed to promote the CASA program.

14. Other duties, both program specific and CAPC related, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduation from an accredited four year college or university preferred with major course in social services or a closely related field.

Experience: Two years of relevant experience working with children and families or social work case management. Experience working with volunteers is desirable.

Knowledge of: The child welfare system, childhood development, and child abuse issues. Candidates need an understanding of the operation of the foster care system. Must have ability to work independently on research and follow up. Success requires strong diplomacy skills and an understanding of the dynamics of working with volunteers. This position requires the ability to identify the needs of youth, find creative solutions, welcome change, define problems, and evaluate risk. Requires strength in making appropriate decisions based on research, analysis, experience, and personal judgment in a timely manner. Must be a skilled written and oral communicator, as well as an excellent listener. Must bring a positive attitude, enthusiasm, professionalism, compassion, and leadership.

Ability to: Gather and analyze data; organize and write reports, read, understand, interpret and apply pertinent rules and regulations; express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain working relationships with others; present oneself professionally. Technical Skills: Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Powerpoint, Publisher). Strong social media skills

Condition of Employment: Employee shall be required to provide a T.B. clearance, submit fingerprints for Department of Justice Clearance, and provide annually, a DMV record report compliant with the Agency’s liability insurance requirements. Employee must have a car, a valid driver’s license, and proof of automobile insurance. Employee must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with clients and co-workers in a compassionate, non-discriminatory, non-judgmental manner. Position is dependent on continued funding and is an at-will position. Available to work on evenings and weekends as required by supervisor.

Physical Demands: In order to perform the job duties associated with this position, the employee is regularly required to use his/her hands to finger, handle, grasp objects, tools and/or controls. The ability to talk, sit, stand, walk, and hear well is necessary. The employee may also be required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, or crouch. On occasion, the employee may be required to lift and/or move 25 pounds. Visual ability to judge distance, color, focus, and see peripheral objects is also necessary. Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by every CAPC employee. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EOE:

CAPC hires and promotes employees regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition or physical handicap or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. CAPC is an equal opportunity employer.