Older Youth Program Manager

REPORTS TO: Director of Client Engagement

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

JOB TYPE: Full-time

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please include a cover letter that expresses your commitment to older youth and helps us understand your motivation, values, and readiness for this position.  No phone calls or emails, please. 

ABOUT CASA

Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mobilizes community volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect and are under the jurisdiction of the Jackson County Family Court.  Our clients face multiple risks, including permanent separation from their birth families due to factors such as substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and intimate partner violence.  These challenges are often rooted in poverty, community violence, and intergenerational trauma.

To mitigate these risks, CASA Volunteer Advocates and staff engage in fact-finding and relationship-building with child clients to assess their needs and make informed recommendations to the court.  Collaboration with children and their families is a core value of our work and is essential to achieving effective advocacy and just outcomes within a complex child welfare system.

Our model is simple: each child is assigned a rigorously screened and extensively trained Volunteer Advocate and Staff Attorney who work together to represent the child's best interests. This team is supported by staff social workers and child welfare experts, providing individualized advocacy grounded in evidence-based practices. Together, they help ensure the best possible outcomes for children and increase the likelihood of safe family reunification.

OUR VALUES

Connection: We believe that every person deserves meaningful relationships with supportive and loving adults, family, and community and preservation of their cultural heritage, traditions, and identity.

Respect: We value people of all backgrounds and identities and believe that every person deserves to be honored, included, and heard.

Collaboration: We recognize that effective progress and problem-solving require diverse voices, ideas, and perspectives.

Integrity: We honor our commitments to our children and the Court with transparency, honesty, and fairness.

Responsibility: We maximize our resources and support through accountability to our children, stakeholders, and community.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF CASA’S OLDER YOUTH PROGRAM

Jackson County CASA understands that transitioning into adulthood can be challenging and that the needs of older youth do not always fit within the limits of the foster care system. In 2015, the organization established the Older Youth Program to provide additional support to current and former foster youth ages 14 to 26 as they work toward self-sufficiency and independence. The program partners closely with youth to develop individualized goals and transition plans, while also providing guidance and expertise to Volunteer Advocates who support youth in carrying out those plans. Each plan addresses key needs such as safe and stable housing, trusted supportive adults, and goals related to education and employment.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Older Youth Program Manager will serve as the face of CASA’s Older Youth Program.  This position will serve as a liaison between CASA and other older foster youth serving organizations, provide training, support and timely responsiveness to CASA staff and Volunteer Advocates, and collect, analyze and report out on older youth data metrics and outcomes.  The Older Youth Program Manager will provide expert guidance to staff and Volunteer Advocates so that each youth can develop the life skills needed and be able to access the resources necessary to live a successful, independent life after release from state care. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSILITIES

Organizational Leadership

Participates in the onboarding and training of new staff members.

Assists in establishing annual goals for the Older Youth Program and ensures goals are met.

Identifies and suggests policy and procedure alternatives for the Older Youth Program.

Fosters an environment of continuous learning and improvement, empowers staff and Volunteer Advocates, and has a positive impact on the organization’s culture.

Specialized Knowledge

Possesses a robust understanding of the barriers faced by older youth involved with the child welfare system and provides consultation to staff and Volunteer Advocates to guide their advocacy.

Assists with locating and accessing services and resources needed by older youth.

Attends case planning team meetings and provides oversight of best practices and procedures regarding older youth, when needed.

Assists the internal team in creating post-release service and safety plans for older youth.

Staff & Volunteer Advocate Development

Develops and delivers robust and diverse continuing trainings specific to older youth for the agency’s staff and Volunteer Advocates.

Delivers National CASA Association approved Fostering Futures training for staff and Volunteer Advocates.

Provides on-going support to staff & Volunteer Advocates by providing resources, tools, and programming.

Develops Older Youth Program materials, such as assessments, goal setting tools, and evaluations for use by staff and Volunteer Advocates.

Creates and maintains an annual calendar for older youth specific continuing education programming.

Manages Older Youth Program information and resources on the agency’s online Volunteer Portal.

Provides staff and Volunteer Advocates with an environment that is warm and welcoming and nurtures their learning and growth.

Budget Management

Manages the department’s budget.

Demonstrates excellent communication with Older Youth Program funders.

Record Keeping & Program Quality Improvement

Conducts regular evaluations of the Older Youth Program and makes modifications to content and service delivery, as necessary.

Organizes and convenes external older youth serving agencies and programs to engage them in the Program’s goals and services to older youth.

Collaborates with clients, staff, Volunteer Advocates, and external partners to monitor and evaluate the Older Youth Program’s performance.

Ensures all case-related data and activities are promptly updated or documented in CASA’s online database OPTIMA.

Tracks staff, client, and Volunteer Advocate event attendance.

Professional Integrity and Development

Engages in respectful and collaborative relationships with clients, community partners, staff, and Volunteer Advocates.

Shares in the agency-wide responsibility of Volunteer Advocate recruitment, engagement, and retention.

Maintains strict confidentiality of Jackson County CASA’s clients, volunteers, staff, and donors.

Completes a minimum of 12 hours of annual continuing education programming. Identifies personal development goals and training opportunities that will prioritize DEI and child welfare best practices,

Embraces a culture of continued development by participating in an annual performance review and documents one’s own milestones and achievements, as well as opportunities for growth.

Maintains a positive image of Jackson County CASA and provides excellent customer service at all times.

Acts in the best interest of Jackson County CASA and its clients at all times.

Other Duties

Convenes Older Youth House Committee monthly.

Manages the agency’s Older Youth Training Room and Resource Closet.

Completes CASA Pre-Service Training within three months of start date.

Performs other related duties as requested by the Director of Client Engagement or President & CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS and ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in social work or human services field is required, MSW or similar field of study is preferred.

3+ years proven success in case management and training others is required.

Experience working with diverse and underrepresented populations is required. Experience in child welfare preferred.

Demonstrated ability to deliver polished presentations and trainings.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Ability to collect and analyze data in order to make informed decisions.

Proficient in Microsoft Office programs.

Must be 21 years of age.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.

Outstanding written and verbal skills, and strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple assignments and meet short deadlines.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a diverse and inclusive environment. Must value collaboration and teamwork.

Commitment to remaining current on child welfare best practice standards and teaching these practices, as well as a commitment to continued learning surrounding child welfare, older youth, and human services delivery.

Promotes the dignity and well-being of all clients, staff, and volunteers.

Comfort with respectful confrontation.

Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Must be able to demonstrate adaptability due to the potential for changing duties and responsibilities during the agency’s expansion. Optimism is a must.

Commitment to Jackson County CASA’s mission and values.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must submit to and pass a criminal and child abuse and neglect background check.

Must have flexibility to work nights and weekends. Some holiday work may be required.

A valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation are required for this position. Frequent travel within Jackson County and surrounding areas will be required.  Mileage will be reimbursed.

SCHEDULE and WORK LOCATION

Full-time (40 hours per week). Flexible work hours as this position will require frequent evenings and weekends.  Ability to work some hours from home.  Jackson County CASA is located at 2544 Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.

PHYSICAL and MENTAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

Prolonged periods of both standing, walking, and sitting at a desk and working on a computer will be required. Will be required to use hands and fingers frequently.  Will climb and descend stairs, grasp, handle, feel, and operate objects, tools, and controls.  Will be required to bend, kneel, and crouch; speak, hear, and read both in quiet, loud, private and public settings, both large and small.  In-office and out-of-office public contact with people.  Vision abilities include close and distant vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Many tasks may be required to be performed off-site.

A great deal of in-person contact with people outside of the office environment will be required.

The noise level of the office environment is often low to moderate. Position is subject to the usual office interruptions associated with providing service and performing multiple duties in an office environment.

Proper grooming and hygiene are required. Attire for this position is generally business casual but there may be times that attire is professional, as determined by the setting.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

BENEFITS

Benefits include 15 days paid time off & 15 days paid leave earned within the first year of employment, and paid holidays.  100% employer paid health insurance, 100% employer paid dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.  Simple IRA with match. Employee Assistance Program.  Jackson County CASA is a child-centered, supportive, and collegial work environment.

OUR COMMITMENT

Jackson County CASA is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer committed to building and supporting a culturally diverse and inclusive work environment that values all staff members’ backgrounds and perspectives.  We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability or veteran status.  We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. 

This job description provides a general, but not comprehensive, list of essential responsibilities and qualifications required.  It does not represent a contract of employment and Jackson County CASA reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.