State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Office of the Child Advocate this class is accountable for managing and evaluating statewide programs to ensure the legal, civil and special rights of children who reside in the State of Connecticut.

Receives administrative direction from the Associate Child Advocate or other administrative official of higher grade.

• Manages staff and projects related to monitoring and evaluating state agencies and those entities that provide services to children through funds provided by the state;
• Develops and implements prevention and/or advocacy strategies;
• Reviews complaints, makes appropriate referrals, and investigates children or families  who may need assistance from the Child Advocate or  systemic issues in the State's provision of services to children;
• Provides assistance to children or families  on behalf of the best interests of the child or children;
• Reviews the facilities and procedures of any and all institutions or residences, public or private, where a juvenile has been placed by any agency or department, including individuals under the age of 22 who are held in secure detention or correctional confinement in any facility operated by a state agency;
• Conducts investigations and periodic reviews;
• Develops monitoring and investigation plans based on best practices, law, regulations and/or federal and state accreditation standards;
• Oversees preparation and maintenance of records, reports and correspondence;
• Shares investigatory/review findings and recommendations with agencies and others as indicated;
• Develops or assists in development of legislative testimony, regulatory, policy and/or practice initiatives;
• Collects and analyzes programmatic data to ensure optimal tracking of trends and outcomes;
• Prepares reports and correspondence;
• Participates in activities to educate and inform the public of laws and services that affect children and families;
• Acts as a liaison with local and national institutions and organizations;
• Assists with evaluating staff;
• Determines priorities and work assignments;
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • child welfare systems;
  • mental health and behavioral health systems;
  • the education system;
• Knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • research methods and principles;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to utilize computer software. 

Eight (8) years of professional experience in the field of child welfare, children's protective services, foster services, adoption, mental health and/or education.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a consultative or supervisory capacity.

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) yeas for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in social work, public policy or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

NOTE: Closely related fields are child development, child welfare, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, human development and family relations, social and/or human services, marriage and family therapy, nursing, education and public administration.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.