Child Advocate

Purpose of Position:

Provides regular, in-person contact with up to ten (10) children adjudicated Children In Need of Services cases (CHINS), develops in-depth case knowledge, advocates for each child's best interests, and makes fact-based recommendations to the Juvenile Court. Previous experience working directly with children is required. Monthly travel throughout Indiana and a clear criminal background are required.

Essential Functions:

• Maintains regular, in-person contact with each assigned CHINS child to develop in-depth case knowledge and make fact-based recommendations to the Court
• Investigates the child's circumstances, provides fact-based information, makes recommendations to the Court, and serves as a source of support for the child
• Reviews all relevant documents, including case records and DCS' case file
• Conducts interviews with the child, parents, social workers, relatives, school personnel, placement providers, and others with relevant knowledge
• Maintains complete case records, including appointments, interviews, information gathered, records reviewed, and time spent
• Determines whether a permanent plan exists and whether reasonable efforts have been made to provide services to the child and family
• Advocates for the child's best interests, considering age and sense of time, maturity, culture and ethnicity, attachment to family members and siblings, and sense of belonging and identity
• Monitors each case through in-person contact with the child at least every 30 days, maintaining sufficient knowledge to make fact-based recommendations to the Court
• Ensures the child's best interests are represented throughout the case and provides the Court with fact-based information about the child's wishes and best interests
• Recommends appropriate services, including evaluations, assessments, physical and mental health services, and treatment for the child and/or family
• Submits written recommendations to the Program Director regarding treatment and the permanent plan and discusses case concerns promptly
• Helps the child understand the legal process in an age-appropriate manner
• Provides the Program Director with monthly reports of case information
• Immediately reports suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities and Program Director
• Works closely with the Juvenile Court, DCS, counsel, and other professionals involved in the case
• Submits Court reports and attends Court hearings as necessary
• Attends monthly case staffings
• Ensures all data recorded in the Optima case management system is accurate and up to date
• Represents CASA professionally and positively in Court, with public and private child welfare agencies, government agencies, professional partners, and other organizations
• Maintains effective relationships with professional and social service organizations, funders, foundations, and charitable organizations, and serves on appropriate committees and task forces
• Provides community education about services offered by CASA and assists with outreach
• Participates in organizations addressing child abuse and neglect
• Maintains confidentiality of information that could identify parties involved in CASA cases
• Complies with applicable laws and regulations and conducts CASA business honestly, fairly, and professionally
• Remains involved until formally discharged by the Court and promptly returns all case notes and paperwork to the Program Director when the case ends or the CASA assignment terminates
• Complies with the applicable provisions of the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct

Non-Essential Functions:

• Performs other duties as assigned

Education and Qualification Requirements:

• Twenty-one years of age or older
• High school diploma and three (3) years of related experience in volunteer, nonprofit, public service, or human social services preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and training
• Attention to detail
• Highly organized
• Vision to identify potential and opportunity
• Knowledge of family dynamics and issues related to child abuse and neglect
• Valid Indiana Driver's License, safe driving record, and reliable transportation
• Successfully passes required screening, including application, criminal record and Child Abuse Registry checks, personal interview, and four reference checks
• Successfully completes 30 hours of initial CASA training; missed sessions must be made up before appointment to a case
• Is accepted as a volunteer by the Program Administrator and sworn in as an officer of the Court
• Observe 4 hours of CHINS/TPR proceedings
• Successfully completes 12 hours of additional training annually
• Accept supervision by the Program Director
• Maintain the confidentiality of information
• Immediately reports any past, present, or pending criminal charges to the Program Director

Responsibility:

Duties require consideration of complex variables and significant independent judgment. The incumbent may be assigned up to ten (10) cases and must travel throughout Indiana monthly.

Working Relationships:

Works with the Juvenile Court Judge, Program Director, program staff and volunteers, DCS and juvenile probation staff, service providers, attorneys, parents, children, family members, foster parents, Court staff, and the public.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

Work is performed remotely or in a standard office environment, with travel throughout Indiana for in-person contact with children and case investigation. A valid Indiana Driver's License and reliable transportation are required.