The Court Advocacy Manager is a licensed attorney responsible for improving and overseeing all court-related functions within the foster care case management program. This role ensures consistent court coverage, legal compliance, and strong advocacy practices that drive timely permanency outcomes. The Manager will supervise court advocacy staff, collaborate with case management teams, and serve as a legal quality assurance (Legal QA) resource. This position also plays a critical role in monitoring performance metrics, minimizing court delays, supporting the Director of Court and Permanency Services, and ensuring strong coordination with stakeholders such as Florida Foster Care Review, Guardian ad Litem, and dependency court personnel.
Essential Qualifications:
Court Oversight and Advocacy Monitor all dependency court dockets and calendars to ensure daily and long-term hearing coverage. Assign advocacy staff to courtrooms and hearings, ensuring appropriate preparation and representation for each case. Staff cases in advance of court dates to verify readiness, coordinate with case managers, and align on recommendations. Attend hearings as needed and provide legal guidance, representation, or coaching to advocacy staff. Reduce resets and continuances through proactive planning, preparation, and follow-up. Ensure high-quality documentation and presentations are submitted on time and reflect permanency progress. Florida Foster Care Review (FFCR) Monitor and ensure attendance and preparedness for all Citizens Review Panel (CRP) hearings. Ensure that required documents, updates, and participants are ready in advance of FFCR reviews. Partner with FFCR staff to address barriers to permanency identified during reviews and track follow-up. ermanency Staffings Facilitate and/or monitor permanency staffings to ensure they are purposeful, solutions-focused, and advancing the child’s permanency plan. Collaborate with case managers, CLS, Guardian ad Litem, and other stakeholders to develop and track action steps resulting from staffings. Ensure that delays are escalated, barriers are identified, and cross-agency collaboration is maintained to resolve issues. Leadership & Supervision May be asked supervise or lead specialists and other assigned legal support staff. Provide coaching on courtroom procedures, legal writing, and permanency-focused advocacy. Collaborate with the Director of Court and Permanency Services on strategic planning, staffing, and system improvements. Compliance & Performance Monitoring Monitor legal and permanency-related metrics such as: Number of resets or continuances Timeliness of hearings (judicial reviews, permanency hearings, CRPs) Case progress toward permanency goals Serve as a Legal QA lead, identifying compliance issues, coaching staff, and implementing solutions. Adjust team practices as needed to meet contract requirements and state expectations. Collaboration & Communication Work closely with case managers, supervisors, CLS attorneys, Guardian ad Litem, FFCR, and the judiciary. Coordinate with the internal Quality Assurance team to align advocacy and permanency practices with broader program goals. Serve as a liaison between legal stakeholders and case management staff, clarifying court expectations and legal mandates.