Volunteer Advocate

Job Description

Purpose:

•  Follow the legal direction of a Voices for Children staff attorney in order to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the city of St. Louis .
•  Collect all necessary information to provide a true picture of the child's life to the judge.
•  Protect and promote the best interests of a child until a permanent plan is achieved.

Qualifications:

•  Age 21 or older.
•  Open-minded, caring citizen who shares the Voices for Children vision that every child live in a safe permanent home.
•  Completion of Voices for Children application, Adult Arrest, and Child Abuse/Neglect check.

Time Commitment:

•  Make an 18 month commitment to the Voices for Children program.
•  Complete Voices for Children Volunteer Advocate Training, including court room observation.
•  Dedicate 10-15 hours a month to information gathering, team meetings, court hearings etc.
•  Flexibility to attend court hearings and scheduled meetings during the day.
•  Complete at least 12 hours/year of continuing education offered by Voices for Children.

Responsibilities:

•  Attend and advocate for the child's best interest in court hearings and all other meetings associated with the child.
•  Meet with your child at least once a month, evaluating the child's needs, progress and wishes.
•  Work with and maintain frequent contact with Voices for Children staff attorney.
•  Request and review records and reports relevant to the child's case.
•  Work, consult, and follow-up with other parties (i.e. Children's Division, services providers, caretakers) to create a permanency plan for the child.
•  Request and obtain all records and reports relative to the child's case.
•  Submit court reports to Voices for Children staff attorney and courts as needed.

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