County of Alameda

Under general supervision, recruits, trains, coaches, coordinates, supports, monitors, and oversees the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who research the circumstances of abused and neglected minors and non-minors in the foster care/juvenile court system; reports findings to the court and serves as advocates in the court and community for the best interest of the children/youth/non-minor dependents; holds volunteers’ accountable for performing activities in compliance with court-ordered services; collaborates with County agencies, community organizations and service providers; and performs related work as required.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

These positions are located in the Health Care Services Agency, CASA Program and report to the CASA Program Manager or CASA Program Administrator. Incumbents provide recruitment of, training, resources, guidance and support to the CASA volunteers to maximize their roles as 1) advocates for children in the foster care/juvenile court system, or 2) volunteer peer coordinators of other CASA volunteers. These positions are responsible for the administrative case management of open court cases, overseeing the preparation of written court reports provided to judicial officers and attending juvenile court hearings.

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Oversees, coaches and monitors the ongoing activities of CASA volunteer advocates and volunteer peer coordinators who provide support and case management assistance to advocates; oversees the development of appropriate advocacy plans and goals according to the assessment and investigation of juvenile court cases; and reviews and modifies advocacy plans based on the needs of the children/youth/non-minor dependents.
2. Maintains and updates case records and documentation regarding minor and non-minor dependents’ progress and service requirements; conducts data collection for outcomes measurement and maintains current CASA volunteer and children/youth/non-minor dependent case files.  
3. Conducts individual sessions with CASA volunteers to review activities for compliance with court-ordered services.
4. Provides community resources, support and assistance to the CASA volunteers in maximizing their role as advocates; and assists in the resolution of problems involved in juvenile court cases that may interfere with the best interest of the children/youth/non-minor dependents.
5. Oversees the preparation of or may prepare written court reports for judicial officers to assist them in making informed decisions regarding the best interests of the children/youth/non-minor dependents; reviews information gathered for court reports and edits final drafts; and composes recommendations if necessary.
6. May attend dependency and delinquency court hearings and be a voice for the best interest of the children/youth/non-minor dependents.
7. Conducts on-going follow-up with child welfare workers, attorneys and other involved collaterals to maintain the children/youth/non-minor dependent wait list and current cases; and may provide basic advocacy to the clients on the wait list.
8. Collaborates with County departments, community-based organizations and service providers to mobilize resources and support for CASA program needs.
9. Provides pre-service and continuing education training and support to CASA volunteers on case-related topics (e.g. court requirements, CASA policies and procedures, court and child welfare systems and processes, psychosocial dynamics, education rights, physical and mental health issues, medical and legal issues, critical thinking skills, independent living skills, financial literacy, diversity, equity and inclusion, and general advocacy, etc.).
10. Coordinates or assists with program related projects that support the overall health and wellbeing of foster youth including the peer coordinator model, education rights advocacy, transition-age youth and youth outcomes measurement.
11. Recruits volunteers from the community in accordance with the strategic plan; participates in a variety of recruitment activities and community events utilizing marketing strategies and tools. 
12. Implements and maintains CASA youth and adult speakers and community outreach ambassador groups.
13. Develops plans for community education and outreach activities including creating and utilizing marketing strategies and tools; participates in a variety of community outreach activities, fundraising and special events, and other community trainings and events.
14. Participates in various meetings (e.g. case management team meetings, team decision-making meetings, and CASA staff team meetings and the CASA Inter-agency Advisory groups, and the Friends of CASA nonprofit sub-committees as necessary).  
15. Prepares letters, memos, multi-media content and other written materials such as event announcements, newsletters and website articles.

Education:

Equivalent of 90 quarter or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social welfare, social/human services, public health, sociology, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling or other behavioral sciences.  

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time social services care coordinator experience in a public, private or nonprofit human services agency specializing in children, youth and family services.  

Substitution:  

Possession of a bachelor’s degree (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social welfare, social/human services, public health, sociology, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling or other behavioral sciences may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.                

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.  

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Roles and responsibilities of Court Appointed Special Advocates program and volunteers.
• State and federal laws and regulations governing child welfare, juvenile court, and foster care systems.
• Foster Youth Bill of Rights.
• Practices and techniques of how to advocate for the best interest of the children/youth/non-minor dependents.
• Training and group presentation technique.
• Community recruitment resources and networking avenues.
• Available community services and resources for children, transition-age youth and young adults and families.
• Function and role of the child welfare, juvenile court, and foster care systems.
• Educational development and emancipation services.
• Children’s physical and mental health development.
• Community Care Licensing Practices.
• Basic social needs problems, attitudes and behavioral patterns.
• Community structure and dynamics, and methods of facilitation.
• Issues and dynamics of families in crisis.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management, navigating and utilizing the internet, data collection and reporting, and operation of standard office equipment.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with volunteers, children and families, staff, community groups/agencies and the general public.
• Facilitate and model effective written and oral communication with attention to linguistic preferences and cultural proficiency.
• Represent the best interest of children in court hearings and in the community.
• Obtain and maintain accurate case information and documentation.
• Recruit, train, guide, coach and monitor activities of volunteers.
• Research, analyze and evaluate program.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Facilitate and problem solve.
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Adapt to a changing environment.
• Plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

TE:pf 7/7/03
Newspec: 6186.doc
CSC Date: 9/17/03
RY:cs Revised/Retitled 7/11/14
Old Title: Assistant Volunteer Program Coordinator (CASA)
CSC Date: 7/23/14  

AC:sa Revised/Retitled 10/19/21

Old Title: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Volunteer Program Assistant

CSC Date: 10/19/2022