The Parent Advocate will provide individualized case management and support services to families navigating abuse and neglect cases within the court system. The Parent Advocate will work in tandem with CASA Volunteers and their assigned Volunteer Supervisor when family reunification is the permanency goal. The selected candidate will connect parents/guardians with appropriate resources designed for respondents in child abuse and neglect cases to be successful in their improvement periods. The candidate will be able to build strong community partnerships and collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that best support family reunification goals. 

 Duties and responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with CASA-EP volunteers and their supervisors to support parent/guardian improvement periods when family reunification is the goal supporting the best interests of the child 

• Conduct face-to-face consultations with assigned parents or guardians using a family-centered, non-judgmental, and encouraging approach to appropriately identify parent/family needs 

• Provide referrals and facilitate access to community-based resources and services to foster parent healing, learning, and growth 

• Assist with supervision of court-mandated parent visitations as appropriate 

• Collaborate with case stakeholders including attorneys, child welfare professionals, educators, and mental health practitioners to ensure best possible interventions are available and accessed to support family reunification 

• Provide case management and support parents/guardians in meeting obligations of court-ordered improvement periods 

• Actively engage in all data collection, reporting, and program evaluation activities 

• Maintain complete records about the case, including appointments, interviews, referrals, and status updates 

• Develop expertise of core training tools for parents, including Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development, Social Connections, Concrete Supports in Time of Need, Parental Resilience, and Social & Emotional Competence of Children 

• Understand and be able to identify the causes and effects of trauma and victimization including the impact of early and cumulative trauma and victimization along with techniques for management and recovery 

Qualifications 

• Must have a valid driver’s license and agree to a screening/background check (Per CASA-EP’s background check policy, if a misdemeanor or felony is noted, the type of offense and extent of rehabilitation will be considered in the hiring process.) 

• Must successfully complete CASA-EP’s volunteer advocacy training, including supplemental training related to the role of a parent support professional 

• Have experience working with at risk families, especially those in crisis, involved in the justice system, and who are experiencing the effects of substance use disorders 

• Able to respect and relate to individuals from various backgrounds and cultures in a caring and sensitive manner 

• Good oral/written communication skills 

• Must be a dedicated and resilient advocate for vulnerable families, a persuasive communicator, and a collaborative partner to best deliver appropriate resources, best support client engagement, and ensure best possible outcomes 

• Considers if an applicant is found to have committed a misdemeanor or felony that is unrelated to or would not pose a risk to children and would not negatively impact the credibility of the program, the extent of the rehabilitation since the misdemeanor or felony was committed, as well as other factors that may influence the decision, to accept the applicant as a staff person or volunteer.