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JACKSON COUNTY CASA

Position Description

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA) VOLUNTEER

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community volunteer, sworn in by a judge or commissioner, who is appointed by Jackson County CASA to advocate for an abused and neglected child in the Jackson County Family Court system.

In order to fulfill the special advocacy duties and responsibilities, the CASA volunteers must investigate the circumstances of the case; develop a course of action with the CASA staff attorney or volunteer attorney who serves as Guardian ad Litem and makes recommendations in legal proceedings; explain the court’s findings to the child; facilitate the resolution of the presenting problems; and monitor progress toward established goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Be a minimum of 21 years of age and not be convicted of, or have charges pending for, a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse or neglect, or related acts that would pose risks to children, and would negatively impact the credibility of CASA; or prior or pending child abuse and neglect charges; or criminal convictions that are violent, sexual or serious in nature or which demonstrate character not appropriate for a CASA volunteer.
2. Have an interest in children, their rights and special needs.
3. Have the willingness and ability to devote the time necessary to successfully complete pre-service screening and training; investigate and monitor a child’s case and advocate for the child’s best interests; and participate in continuing education. The term of service is the duration of the child’s case or one year, whichever period of time is greater. The average monthly time commitment is 10 to 15 hours.
4. Possess the skills and abilities in communication, planning, and human relations to work effectively and responsibly with abused and neglected children, their families, and the individuals, agencies and organizations providing services to such children and families.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Successfully complete at least 30 hours of pre-service volunteer training before assignment to a child’s case. Pre-service volunteer training includes class time, reading and homework assignments, and observation of Family Court proceedings.
2. Complete at least 12 hours of continuing education per year.
3. Maintain the confidential and private nature of records and information in the child’s case, and not violate the confidential nature of any Family Court case.
4. Maintain regular contact with the Jackson County CASA supervisory and legal staff.
5. Organize and maintain a case file and keep it secure to protect its confidential nature.
6. Return all case-related information, including files, reports and notes, to Jackson County CASA upon closure of the case, or at the end of the term of volunteer service, whichever is earlier. This requirement includes the return or destruction of all electronically stored documents that are generated in the CASA volunteer’s case-related work.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Review documents and conduct personal and/or telephone interviews with the child, family and other interested parties which may include foster parents, social service workers, counselors, educators, mentors, medical professionals, law enforcement personnel, parent aides and day care providers.
2. Maintain regular contact, at minimum once a month, with the social service worker assigned to the child and family. Contact with other service providers may be made at such intervals, and in such a manner, as agreed upon by Jackson County CASA supervisory and/or legal staff.
3. Investigate and assess placements alternatives for the child, if the child is not living in his or her permanent placement, or what is intended to be the permanent placement.
4. Attend court proceedings and meetings relating to the child and family.
5. Monitor court orders and case plans involving the child and family.
6. Consult a minimum of once a month with Jackson County CASA supervisory and/or legal staff to report and assess all case-related activities and information; plan future case-related volunteer activities; assist in preparation for case-related meetings and legal action; and receive evaluation and feedback of volunteer work.
7. Complete monthly case update forms and submit to Jackson County CASA supervisory and/or legal staff. Prepare other written case-related documents, as needed.