About Texas CASA
Each year, there are more than 46,000 children in the Texas child protection system. But did you know that there are more than 8,000 members of the community stepping up to give these children a voice? These advocates are called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers.
When a child enters the child protection system because his or her home is no longer safe due to abuse or neglect, a judge may appoint a CASA volunteer to advocate in court for the best interests of the child and guide him or her to a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.
Texas CASA is the state association that provides resources and support to the 71 local CASA programs that serve nearly 25,000 children across Texas. But with more than 46,000 children in the child welfare system, this leaves almost half of the children in care without a CASA volunteer to speak up for them. Our goal is for every child in care to have a CASA volunteer and to establish CASA as a household name to build awareness of this amazing volunteer opportunity.
Job Summary
The PMC Coordinator will lead Texas CASA’s efforts in the development of a statewide systemic approach for advocacy and service to children in Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC). Children designated under PMC are in long-term foster care and have been permanently removed from their homes, with little chance of ever rejoining their families.
The PMC Coordinator will collaborate with stakeholders and local CASA programs to provide, promote and develop enhanced and effective CASA advocacy for children in PMC in order to increase the number of children in PMC who have a CASA volunteer. The coordinator will oversee the development of training modules and a comprehensive toolkit to support effective PMC volunteer advocacy and retention of PMC volunteers, as well as aid in the identification of systemic problems related to children in long-term care. The PMC Coordinator reports to the Deputy CEO. This is an exempt position, with required statewide travel up to 25%.
Essential Functions
Create and implement a standardized, effective PMC advocacy toolkit for specially recruited CASA volunteers advocating for children and youth in PMC by:
Researching, compiling, and sharing best practices in child advocacy
Producing a learning curriculum to advance PMC volunteer recruitment, training, and retention practices
Working with local CASA programs to test resources and best practices
Promoting development of pre-service and in-service PMC training information
Identifying effective CASA staff support and assistance models for PMC volunteer and effective PMC advocacy
Oversee the training and rollout of the PMC toolkit to local CASA program staff with onsite visits and monthly learning community calls.
Provide technical assistance to the three to six local CASA program sub-grantees to test and formulate recommendations for the PMC Toolkit.
Engage with the CASA network, Texas CASA stakeholders, and other agencies to seek collaborative opportunities for PMC advocacy.
Consult with Collaborative Family Engagement pilot staff and Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) educators to assure PMC training and toolkit support trauma-informed care and family finding and engagement work.
Assess ongoing needs to support PMC program growth and work with executive-level staff to oversee the project effectiveness application tracking and monitoring benchmarks, and systems that promote effective and efficient PMC program operations.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and three to five years’ experience in child welfare and/or social work is preferred
Strong computer proficiency with all Microsoft Office suite products, especially Word and Excel.
Experience in nonprofit program administration, management, child welfare issues, training and/or coaching is preferred
Knowledge of the Texas child protection system and CASA is preferred
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Experience performing research and organizing information in oral and written form for a wide variety of audiences, including CASA staff and volunteers, state agency personnel, members of the judiciary and other stakeholders in the child protection system
Familiarity with project management: ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work independently, prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines
Skill in interpersonal relationships, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, identify and resolve conflicts and establish and maintain effective working relationships with local CASA staff, CPS and other stakeholder
Advanced knowledge of nonprofit development and management, working with volunteers and organization management
How to apply
Please submit cover letter, resume and references to Liaison for Program Development Cathy Cockerham at ccockerham@texascasa.org.