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VOLUNTEER ROLE

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Of Montgomery County
Volunteer Advocate Job Description

POSITION: Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad litem (CASA/GAL) volunteer.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Reports to assigned CASA staff.

JOB LOCATION: Montgomery County Juvenile Court; 380 West Second Street
Dayton OH  45402; (937) 225-5491; FAX: (937) 496-3157.

TIME COMMITMENT: 36 hours pre-service training; 12 hours of annual in-service training; other flexible hours as necessary for the assigned case (on average, 2-10 hours per month).

POSITION PURPOSE: To serve as a Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad litem (CASA/GAL) volunteer, working independently to investigate and monitor cases of juvenile abuse, neglect and/or dependency in the Montgomery County Juvenile Court.

Duties and responsibilities:

1. Attend screening interview, court observation, pre-service and in-service training sessions.
2. Serve on at least one case annually by investigating and monitoring the situation while the child is under court jurisdiction to ensure that the child’s best interests are being served.
3. Conduct an independent investigation to gain a thorough understanding of the assigned case.
4. Determine if a permanent plan has been created for the child and whether appropriate services, including reasonable efforts, are being provided to the child and family.
5. Conduct interviews with the child, Montgomery County Children Services caseworker, parent/guardians, relatives, friends, attorneys, teachers, neighbors, foster parents and/or any person with relevant information about the child; review files at appropriate agencies relative to the child’s case.
6. Consult with the CASA staff as to preliminary findings and to review progress of the case.
7. Maintain and provide to the CASA office, as required, accurate and timely forms and case records, including monthly office updates and submit a signed report with recommendations to the court on placement and services best for the child.
8. Attend all pertinent hearings, reviews and/or meetings necessary for each case assigned.
9. Maintain up-to-date and complete file records on each case assigned.
10. Maintain mandated standard of confidentiality on information pertaining to each case.

Qualifications:

1. Must be at least 21 years of age.
2. Must successfully pass screening/background check.
3. Successful completion of pre-service training program.
4. Attend a minimum of 12 in-service hours annually.
5. Able to respect and relate to individuals from various backgrounds and cultures in a caring and sensitive manner.
6. Good oral/written communication skills.
7. Understands and is willing to commit to a two year volunteer position serving on a minimum of one (1) assigned case.
8. Willing to accept supervision, training and evaluation from the professional staff.
9. Able to provide own transportation.
10. Must be a dedicated child advocate, willing to learn the best possible means to assure that the needs of the children in the Montgomery County juvenile system are being met.

Benefits of the Volunteer:

1. Ability to impact the life of a child who is in the juvenile justice system as a result of abuse, neglect and/or dependency.
2. Opportunity to interact with all facets of the juvenile system and its key players.
3. Opportunity to gain extensive knowledge about child abuse and neglect and the legal and social services systems in Montgomery County.
4. Increased awareness of educational opportunities (conferences, workshops, etc.) in the child advocacy and juvenile arena.
5. Opportunity to become a part of the growing community of child advocates, assuring that all children who need a CASA/GAL volunteer will have one.

CASA TRAINING

The Montgomery County Juvenile Court CASA Program strives to provide two training opportunities each year for individuals to become volunteers. Spring Training is typically held during the months of March and April, and Fall Training is typically held during the months of October and November.

Trainings are held in the Juvenile Justice Center, with the exception of one session, which takes place at Montgomery County Job and Family Services, Childrens Services Division. Trainings are typically held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-9pm and Saturdays from 9am-noon.