Easter Seals Jobs

New Mexico Kids Matter advocates for children who have been abused or neglected by empowering the Bernalillo County community to volunteer as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). When the state steps in to protect a childs safety, a judge appoints a trained CASA volunteer to make independent and informed recommendations in the childs best interest.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The CASA Coach will motivate, empower, guide, and supervise CASA volunteers as they advocate in the best interests of children appointed to New Mexico Kids Matter by the courts. They will ensure accountability for meeting NM Kids Matters values, policies, and standards of case management. Additionally, the CASA Coach will fulfill the performance standards of New Mexico and National CASA, ensuring that advocates comply with the statutory obligations and meet or exceed the expectations of Bernalillo County courts. The CASA Coach is the point of contact for all CASA volunteers, beginning with their swearing-in ceremony and extending throughout their service as a CASA in our organization.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Essential functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Supervise CASA Volunteers in their roles

• Be readily available and easily accessible by email and phone to all CASA volunteers, providing support and assistance throughout the case.
• Attend and participate in case-related meetings, including, but not limited to, guiding CASA volunteers through case note input, Permanency Conferences, Treatment Team Meetings, and other related engagements and documenting and channeling all requested information until resolution.
• Attend first home visits with every newly assigned CASA volunteer and as necessary thereafter.
• Attend and participate in all related court hearings, providing assistance and supervision of CASA volunteer court reports and court attendance.
• Monitor and evaluate each CASA volunteers investigative and advocacy work to ensure that each child in the program receives the highest quality services. Assist as needed.
• Along with the CASA volunteer, work collaboratively with other professionals.
• Provide CASA volunteers with information and professional contacts regarding community resources and placements.
• Assist CASA volunteers in identifying permanency planning issues for children while steadily moving the case forward toward the goal of a safe and permanent placement.
• Attend and participate in volunteer-related events for recruitment and retention, including but not limited to swearing-in ceremonies, volunteer meetups, and volunteer appreciation events.
• Ensure that each CASA volunteer completes the required contact hours with their assigned children and in-service hours for continuing education.
• Complete annual CASA volunteer evaluations and provide regular coaching.
• Supervise and guide CASA volunteers to ensure their activities follow both the NM Kids Matter and National CASA missions and applicable state and federal laws and standards.

2. Provide Informed and Consistent Guidance, Coaching, and Feedback to CASA Volunteers, as well as Encouragement and Praise

• Maintain a monthly calendar of all scheduled meetings and court hearings on all cases and notify CASA volunteers of those meetings and hearings.
• Review and edit court reports to ensure they follow established guidelines and criteria and are accurate, goal-directed, and submitted on time.
• Submit draft court reports to the Program Manager at least 14 days before the court date.
• Provide supervision and guidance while monitoring CASA volunteers performance on confidentiality, policy, boundaries, and relationships with other professionals.
• Conduct on-the-job training components for CASA volunteers.
• Provide consistent contact while maintaining and fostering relationships between the CASA volunteer and other professionals in legal, social welfare, ducational and therapeutic areas/organizations, and between the CASA volunteer and the children/families we serve.
• In equal partnership with NM Kids Matter administration, determine in-service opportunities that meet the interests and needs of current CASA volunteers.
• Ensure the reasonable retention of CASA volunteers by coaching new skills, evaluating their experience and engaging in constructive reflection, and matching the CASA volunteer with future cases that suit their unique interests, skills, and time commitment.

3. Ensure the High Standards of Performance and Professionalism Expected in the Services of New Mexico Kids Matter

• Model a commitment to race equity, child safety, and volunteer engagement.
• Always maintain confidentiality with staff, CASA volunteers, and court-appointed professionals.
• Attend and participate in continuing education opportunities as required.
• Attend and actively participate in required meetings.
• Participate in committees as needed.
• Maintain a professional and organized environment.
• Assist with office and program demands as needed.

4. Data Entry and Record-Keeping

• Document and maintain all CASA volunteer activity in Optima, including (but not limited to) information required by the courts, state CASA or National CASA, case history, performance evaluations, status updates, changes in personal information, and other information as deemed necessary and appropriate.
• Monitor and assist CASA volunteers with accurate case data in Optima. Ensure all case files are current and complete.
• Compile, prepare, and submit monthly case report data to NM Kids Matter administration.
• Compile, prepare, and submit monthly CASA volunteer data to NM Kids Matter administration.

5. Other Responsibilities

• Assist with CASA volunteer training and retention efforts, which may include some evening and weekend events.
• Attend and participate in community meetings as directed by NM Kids Matter administration.
• In equal partnership with all staff members, participate in activities and events related to fundraising, recruitment, mission-related events and observances, staff retreats, board meetings, and related activities, and any other engagement that supports our mission and directly benefits the entire organization.
• Promote and maintain ethical, professional, and cordial relationships with all associated with NM Kids Matter, both within the organization and throughout the community.
• Participate in mission-related and job-related training opportunities.
• Perform additional duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

A minimum of a Bachelors degree is preferred.

In lieu of a degree, significant professional, relevant experience may be considered.

Must be able to pass Criminal and Children, Youth, and Family background checks and a Sexual Abuse Registry check.

Experience in providing staff or volunteer supervision and ability to manage people.

Understanding of child and family advocacy issues that include child placement options, therapeutic intervention/a