Jackson County CASA

Kansas City, Missouri

Guided by Missouri Guardian ad Litem Standards, the Guardian ad Litem leads the agency’s multi-disciplinary team and provides high-quality, child-centered legal representation while promoting timely permanency with a focus on safety and family preservation for up to one hundred twenty five (125) children.

They are guided by the best interests of their child clients at all times and exercise independent judgment on behalf of them in all matters.

The Guardian ad Litem works closely with the child’s Volunteer Advocate and Case Specialist and together they evaluate the needs of their child clients to make appropriate recommendations and advocate zealously for them.



Job Number:  01-241120-02:  Guardian ad Litem


Company Name:  Jackson County CASA
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Lawyering

•In accordance with the Missouri Guardian ad Litem Standards, leads CASA’s passionate Volunteer Advocates and child welfare experts on their cases by providing high-quality legal representation and directing the investigation and advocacy necessary to achieve the best interests of child clients.

•Works closely with the Volunteer Advocate and/or Case Specialist to investigate the child’s circumstances and wishes to evaluate and recommend services that will benefit the child and their family.

•Conducts face-to-face visits with child clients with a focus on building trusting and strong professional relationships and to provide legal counseling, when necessary. Visits with clients should occur as often as necessary to achieve these goals and are dependent on whether the client is assigned a Volunteer Advocate or Case Specialist. Older youth clients will require more frequent visitation by their Guardian ad Litem.

•Interviews and engages the child’s parents and family in case planning.

•Prepares for and fully participates in court proceedings, including examining and cross-examining witnesses, offering testimonial and other documentary evidence, and filing motions, responses, and other pleadings.

•Facilitates the participation of the child client’s participation in court hearings, as appropriate.

•Advocates for timely hearings, timely provision of necessary services, and timely compliance with court orders.

•Attends and actively participates in case related meetings, including 72 Hour Meetings, Team Decision Making Meetings, Stability Staffings, and Family Support Team meetings, and other collateral matters (e.g. IEP meetings).

•Monitors court orders and advocates for the implementation of timely and necessary services for clients.

•Complies with Missouri’s Guardian ad Litem Standards, Rules of Professional Conduct, and local court rules.

Specialized Knowledge

•Develops a proficient understanding of child welfare best practices, trauma-informed care, and permanency outcomes for children who are system-involved, and the effects of separation from family on children.

•Remains current and well-informed about all aspects of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and policies relating to child welfare and practice as a Guardian ad Litem.

•Creates and maintains strong community partnerships with agencies and community actors with specialized knowledge regarding family-finding and permanency.

•Partners with the Manager of Volunteer Training and Pro Bono Managing Attorney to create and provide high quality and relevant continued education for Volunteer Advocates and Pro Bono Attorneys.



Interested Parties/How to Apply:     


Submit a cover letter and resume to hr@jacksoncountycasa-mo.org.