VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Volunteer Job Description for Attorneys in Truancy Cases

What is the role of an attorney volunteer?
Attorneys serving as legal counsel on truancy cases are asked to commit one year, or as long as the child remains on Juvenile Court supervision, to provide legal and advocacy services for the child and to be a positive role model for the child. The attorney can expect to commit approximately 25 hours on each case.

The attorney has two major roles:

1. To represent the child as both lawyer and Guardian ad Litem in truancy proceedings.

2. To be a role model and advocate for the child; to assist the family in identifying and utilizing community resources; to advocate for the child in matters related to school attendance.

Attorney as Lawyer and Guardian ad Litem:

• The attorney will be present at all hearings and will represent the child in any court proceedings pertaining to school attendance issues.
• Always keeping in mind the best interests of the child, the attorney will advocate for services and programs which will address the causes of the truancy.
• The attorney will not be required to represent the child in delinquency or deprivation issues should they arise during the case.
• The attorney does not represent the parent/family of the child.

Volunteer Job Description for Guardians ad Litem in Educational Neglect and Truancy Cases

What is the role of a Guardian ad Litem?
All TIP volunteers can serve as a guardian ad litem (GAL) in two circumstances: in truancy cases or educational neglect cases. GALs are always assigned in educational neglect cases (and sometimes assigned in truancy cases) and serve as an appointed officer of the court who represents the best interests of the child. The guardian ad litem is given a court order that allows him/her to investigate the child's situation and make reports to the court upon completion of that investigation. In each situation, the volunteer will build a relationship with the child and seek resources to try to meet the child's needs. Volunteers are expected to serve as the GAL on each case for at least a year or until the case is closed and to be present at future proceedings.

The GAL has two major roles:
1. To represent the best interests of the child in all court proceedings related to attendance issues.

2. To be a role model to and advocate for the child; to assist the family in identifying and utilizing community resources.

Volunteers are expected to expand their role as a GAL to that of a role model. Developing a positive and supportive relationship with the child(ren) plays an important role in how much of a positive impact a volunteer will have on a child and his/her family.

How does a guardian ad litem serve as a partner?
At times, the attorney assigned to a truancy case will come to a point in the case when he/she feels that the dual role of attorney and guardian ad litem has become a conflict. At that time, a separate guardian ad litem will be appointed to serve the best interests of the child, and the original volunteer will remain in the attorney role to maintain the confidential relationship with the child. The guardian ad litem and attorney then work together to make recommendations as to what would be best for the child and to advocate for the child in court.

There are times when a new volunteer wishes to partner with another new or seasoned volunteer as he/she is learning about his/her role. The Project staff appreciates this need and can and will accommodate it when possible. As the old saying goes, "Two heads are better than one." The child will certainly benefit as two volunteers work together, in constant communication to serve the child.

Early Intervention Volunteer Job Description

What is the role of an Early Intervention Volunteer?
The volunteer is asked to commit one year, or as long as the case remains active, to provide advocacy services for the child, and to be a role model and advocate for the child and family.

The volunteer has two major roles:
1. To attend the initial planning meeting at the school and work as an active participant to find solutions to the child's attendance issues.

2. To be a role model for the child and an advocate to the child and family; to assist the family in identifying and utilizing community resources.

The volunteer will work with the school to help ensure that the child's issues related to attendance are resolved, so that court intervention does not become necessary. The volunteer will work with the child and family, making weekly contact, to monitor the progress of the case and assist in determining what services and resources are needed.

The volunteer will be the child's main advocate for the case. As well, the volunteer will work with other professionals to meet the needs of the child. Other professionals may include:

• School social worker
• School counselor
• Child's teacher
• School nurse
• School principal
• Child's doctor/dentist
• Other social service agencies

One of the most important aspects of the TIP volunteer's involvement in the early intervention case is the development of a relationship between the child/family and volunteer. The volunteer will make weekly contact with the family to encourage the child to attend school, as well as help to identify the consequences of poor school attendance. If issues continue to arise regarding the child's attendance, the volunteer will assist the family by directing them to appropriate resources to help alleviate the pressing issues affecting school attendance. If the attendance does not improve, the volunteer will remain in close contact with the school social worker, as an educational neglect charge may be filed in juvenile court.

By addressing the issue of chronic absenteeism through early intervention, the child's attendance can be directed to a successful pattern without court involvement.

Volunteer as Role Model and Advocate

All volunteers agree to serve as a role model and advocate for the child and to assist the family in identifying and utilizing community resources.

• The volunteer will work to build a positive and supportive relationship with the child.
• In this role, the volunteer will identify needs in the child's life that are contributing to the child's truancy and will assist in locating resources to meet those needs.
• The volunteer will encourage the child to attend school, and encourage the family to appreciate the importance of education.
• The volunteer will strive to be a positive role model for the child

Registration
If you are interested in volunteering with the Truancy Intervention Project, please complete the registration form and we will contact you for our next seminar.