| Posted Date: |
10/10/2018 |
| End Date: |
11/24/2018 |
| Organization: |
Boston CASA |
| Contact Name: |
Lisa Caissie |
| Phone: |
617-780-4055 |
| Email: |
lisa@bostoncasa.org |
| Web Site: |
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| Address: |
85 Merrimac St Ste 401 |
| City, State: |
Boston, MA 02114 |
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| Description: |
Organization Overview
Boston CASA’s (Court Appointed Special Advocates) mission is to ensure a safe and permanent home for court-involved children in Suffolk and Middlesex County, who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Boston CASA fulfills this mission by recruiting, training and supervising volunteers from the community who are appointed as a child’s guardian ad litem (GAL), to protect and promote their “best interest” while ensuring they have access to safe and permanent homes. CASA Volunteers come from all walks of life. They have a variety of professional, educational and cultural backgrounds. They are selected on the quality of their objectivity, competence, and commitment. Please visit our website at www.bostoncasa.org to learn more about the organization.
General Description
The TAY Specialist reports to the Program Manager and supports, guides and supervises the work of CASA volunteer GALs, advocating for the best interest of our young adults/transition age youth (age 14-22) who are in the child welfare system, due to abuse or neglect in their home. In doing so, the TAY Specialist ensures volunteer compliance with Organization practices and policies. This position will be a thought partner with the Program Manager, both in the day to day administration and in the development of ideas for the TAY Program. He/she will support the volunteer’s day to day collaboration with the Department of Children and Families, the Juvenile Court and Children and Family Law (CAFL) attorneys and other community partners also serving young adults.
Responsibilities:
Supervision, support and management of volunteer advocates and their assigned cases:
• Supervise up to 30 volunteer advocates, caseload size is at the discretion of the Program Manager
• Maintain organized, accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic case records in compliance with Agency protocols, ensuring data integrity for reporting needs
• Support volunteer advocates in the completion of court-mandated duties, including, but not limited to, developing and submitting monthly contact logs, court reports and case plans and participating in court hearings and case meetings
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment to assist volunteer advocates in creative problem solving, utilizing Organization and community resources and ensuring accuracy and consistency with Boston CASA best practices
• Facilitate and mediate relationships between volunteer advocates and professionals, family members, and others as needed
• Maintain monthly minimum contact with volunteer advocates, providing coaching and advice tailored to individual case and volunteer needs
• Identify and share information about specialized services and resources (as it relates to young adults/transition age youth ages 14-22) with volunteer advocates and Boston CASA staff and provide mentorship
• Annually evaluate advocate performance in the fulfillment of their duties
Additional Responsibilities:
• Provide assistance with the recruitment and training of new advocates and the continuing education and retention of established advocates
• Establish and maintain effective, collegial working relationships with Boston CASA staff, board and volunteers, as well as with representatives of the Department of Children and Families, the CAFL attorney panel, education service providers and other community service providers and entities
• Connect with potential (new) partners to strengthen and enhance Boston CASA’s work with the TAY advocacy program
• Coordinate Boston CASA’s involvement in TAY meetings or program development opportunities with state or other collateral agencies
• Other duties as assigned. non-essential job duties, non-related responsibilities and other tasks as required by the Program Manager and Organization may be assigned from time to time – Boston CASA is a small non-profit organization requiring flexibility from its staff
Qualifications and Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in social-service related field and/or 5 years of experience within child welfare.
• Experience in the fields of social service, juvenile law, education and volunteer program management and/or case management preferred
• Knowledge of the needs and strengths of Transitional Age Youth (14-22) with an appreciation of the middle and late adolescent stages of development. direct service experience supporting these youth in foster care strongly preferred
• Strong working knowledge of community resources in the Greater Boston Area
• Experience working with communities of color
• Must complete CASA Volunteer Advocate Training
• Must pass a comprehensive background check
• Comfortable with learning and utilizing new software programs
• Strong written communication skills, including editing skills. candidates should be prepared to provide a writing sample upon request
• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to calmly evaluate and make mindful, strategic decisions in emotionally-charged situations and in the absence of complete clarity
• Competence in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook programs
• Flexibility with hours, including some evenings and weekends, with an ability to independently manage one’s workload and schedule
• Demonstrated respect of all people regardless of socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender expression and experience working with culturally diverse populations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise diplomacy and discretion in communication with others
People of Color, women, LGBTQ are encouraged to apply. Boston CASA is an EOE and is committed to maintaining diversity within its staff, Board, and Volunteers.
Salary: $48,000-$54,000 |
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The US Department of Justice has supported CASA advocacy since 1985 through its Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.