We are looking for a Early Family Engagement (EFE) Specialist who will supervise volunteers as they advocate for the most vulnerable children in Travis County.
CASA of Travis County believes every child who's experienced abuse or neglect deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school, and in our community. To accomplish this, the team at CASA educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure each child's needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system. Through inclusive, honorable and respectful involvement with families, courts and all parties, CASA makes independent and educated recommendations that prioritize children’s safety and, wherever possible, preserve connections to their families.
As an EFE Specialist, you will further the mission of CASA by ensuring quality advocacy by supervising Early Family Engagement volunteers assigned to cases to explore possible family/fictive support and identify the immediate needs of children and families. The EFE Specialist position requires critical working relationships with partner organizations, including the Department of Family and Protective Services, the Office of Child Representation, the Office of Parental Representation and the Children’s Rights Clinic, among others. The EFE Specialist must have a proven record of exercising cultural humility in their interaction with children and families, as well as knowledge of child welfare policy and legal procedure.
At the end of your first year, success would mean having an understanding of child and family advocacy issues and the Travis County child welfare system, understanding the Guardian ad Litem role and best interest factors, and retaining and supervising a team of volunteers.
The EFE Specialist is a critical role to move CASA of Travis County towards meeting our vision of quality advocacy, a safe home and a promising future for every child in Travis County.
Responsibilities
1. Supervises Early Family Engagement (EFE) Volunteers for the children to whom CASA of Travis County is appointed at the ex-parte stage.
• Provides coaching, motivation, and mentoring to EFE volunteers.
• Ensures EFE volunteers have the information needed to make contact with child placements, parents, and other relatives.
• Attends and participates in all related court hearings, providing assistance and supervision of EFE volunteer with court attendance and testimony, when necessary.
• Provides EFE volunteers with information regarding community resources, as well as DFPS policy and procedure in regards to kinship placements and legal guidelines.
• Coaches volunteers on best interest factors and immediate needs of children and families, as well as evaluation of family members for placement and family support.
• Assists volunteers in developing best interest recommendations to be made at initial court hearings.
• Coaches volunteers with regard to family engagement practices and the importance of maintaining familial connections for children to whom CASA is appointed.
• Enhances the opportunity for retention of volunteers for future cases by teaching new skills and evaluating the volunteer’s experience in the EFE program.
• In all of the above, maintains awareness of child safety and prioritizes safety in decision-making on behalf of children to whom CASA is appointed.
2. Provides informed and consistent guidance and supervision to EFE Volunteers.
• Assists in tracking all new ex parte appointments, ensuring all necessary documentation is received (original petition, affidavit, show cause order, appointment order).
• Evaluates cases for EFE volunteer matching and assignment.
• Identifies and maintains an understanding of DFPS policy and procedure changes.
• Coordinates with program leadership to ensure cases are assigned to CASs in a timely manner.
• Supports team members in the transition of cases from EFE program to CAS assignment.
• Ensures accurate and complete client case records in at time of case transfer.
• Maintains accurate case and Volunteer statistical data according to state and national standards for CASA and for grant purposes.
• Maintains a professional, organized environment.
• Assists with office and program demands as needed.
• Attends and participate in continuing education opportunities.
• Assists with program development and evaluation as needed by the Director of Family Engagement and Senior Director of Advocacy.
• Participates in regular supervision with the Director of Family Engagement.
3. Ensures the high standard of performance of services of CASA of Travis County.
• Models a commitment to child safety, and volunteer engagement.
• Provides consistent contact in the process of maintaining and fostering relationships with the volunteer, clients, family members and other professionals while assigned at ex-parte stage.
• Communicates effectively with legal parties during the EFE stage.
4. Other responsibilities include:
• Attends and participates in community meetings as needed by the Director of Family Engagement or Senior Director of Advocacy.
• Assists the Director of Family Engagement with special circumstances involving ex-parte assignment.
