What It Takes

Qualifications of the Position:
• Willingness to work within guidelines, policies and standards of CASA.
• Good human relations skills and the ability to be objective.
• Must have conviction of the importance of providing for best interests of children at risk.
• Must have time, interest and energy to do the job.
• Must have access to transportation.
• Must have the ability to stand up for convictions.
• Must have the willingness to receive guidance and direction and work as part of a team.
• Must be sensitive to cultural/ethnic differences.

Requirements of the Position:
• Must be 21 years of age.
• If working, secure permission in advance of basic training for time off from work to attend periodic hearings.
• Complete application and background check form for position.
• Make appointment and come to the CASA office for interview prior to initial training.
• Complete an in-depth 30-hour initial training course.
• Appear before the court to be sworn in as a Court Advocate.

Responsibilities of the Position:
1. In a timely manner after appointment, obtain first hand a clear understanding of the needs and situation of the child by reviewing all relevant documents and records and interviewing the child, parents, social workers, teachers and other persons to determine the facts and circumstances of the child’s situation.
2. Maintain confidentiality of all issues and records of the case, returning all case files to the CASA program after the case is closed. Notify all parties to the case of CASA’s appointment.
3. Notify all parties to the case of CASA’s appointment.
4. Communicate with the DFPS caseworker after appointment and at least one time per month for the duration of the case.
5. Meet the child(ren) in a timely manner after appointment and meet in person with the child(ren) at least one time per month to observe whether the child(ren)’s essential needs are being met and assess the institutions and foster homes where the child(ren) are placed. Interview all parties, clients and professionals, as well as the child(ren) involved in the assigned cases.
a. If the child(ren) are placed one to three driving hours away, then CASA will meet in person with the child(ren) at least once every three months.
b. If the child(ren) are placed more than three driving hours away, then CASA will meet in person with the child(ren) at least once every six months.
6. Maintain complete written records about the case including appointments, interviews, and information gathered about the child.
7. Have other types of age appropriate contact with the child(ren) including telephone calls, emails, and/or letters as applicable for the child’s age and interests.
8. Meet in person with the child’s primary placement provider in a timely manner after placement occurs, and communicate with the placement provider at least once a month thereafter for the duration of the assignment of the child’s case.
9. Advocate for the child(ren)’s best interest in the community by interfacing with mental health, medical, legal, educational and other community systems to assure that the child(ren)’s needs in these areas are met.
10. Determine if a permanent plan, an educational passport, and a medical passport has been created for the child(ren).
11. Participate in all scheduled case related meetings involving the child(ren) in order to keep informed of the child(ren)’s permanent plan.
12. Seek cooperative solutions by acting as a facilitator among parties maintaining communication with the child(ren)’s parents, family members, attorney ad litem, teachers, and other service providers as applicable.
13. Discuss court reports with Case Coordinator or Case Supervisor prior to writing report.
14. Turn in court reports in a legible form and 14 working days prior to the hearing to be reviewed by the Volunteer Coordinator or the Executive Director.
15. Turn in additional necessary paperwork on time to the CASA office.
16. Appear at all hearings to advocate for the child(ren)’s best interest and permanency. Provide testimony when necessary, making recommendations for specific appropriate services for the child and when appropriate, the child’s family. Provide written court reports for all permanency and review hearings.
17. On each case, assigned CASA staff and CASA volunteers will communicate at least once a month so as to up date records and contact logs and participate together in scheduled case conferences.
18. Inform the court promptly of important developments in the case through appropriate means as determined by court rules and statute.
19. Monitor implementation of service plans and court orders assuring that court-ordered services are implemented in a timely manner and that review hearings are held in accordance with the law and placement is appropriate.
20. If child is freed for adoption, work unceasingly to attain this goal as soon as possible.
21. Work for permanency for the child whether that permanency is to be returned to that child's original home or freed for adoption.
22. Participate in the minimum of 12 hours of continuing education sessions per year.
23.Report any incidents of child abuse or neglect to the CASA coordinator and appropriate authorities.