Catholic Charities: Court Monitor for Wards of the State

Contact Claudia Flores to Volunteer
Email: cflores@ccaosa.org
Phone: (210) 455 - 6105 Ext. 108


Reports to:
 Volunteer Coordinator: Claudia Flores; Court Monitor Coordinator Omar Morales, Court Monitors: Evangeline Rodriguez, Brendan O'Leary and terry Whalen. 

Purpose: To visit and assess the condition of individuals who have been placed under a guadianship (wards), in accordance with Sec 1054 of the Texas Estates code. 

Outcome: The Probate Court will be provided firsthand information about Wards under is supervision

Overall Outcome: To ensure the safety of Wads and to ensure that they are not being exploited or abused by others. 

Responsible for: 

• Visits are to be scheduled upon receiving assignments. 
• obtaining all information required to fully complete the court monitor report
• completing and signing report form with observations from visit. 
• Notifying guardianship staff in a timely manner if there are problems or concerns with assignment. 
• Returning time sheet and mileage form (even if in-kind donation) for every visit. 

Needed Skills

• Ability and desire to work with a wide variety of individuals, including people with significant physical and mental disabilities from different racial, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. 
• Ability to remain objective and nonjudgmental in making reports to the court
• ability to keep information confidential 
• willingness to visit people in their homes, nursing homes, group homes, or other care facilities
• Good communications and listening skills
• Desire to be of service to the most vulnerable in our community.

Qualifications:

• Own reliable transportation, valid driver's license and car insurance if receiving mileage reimbursement 
• Complete a volunteer application and provide references 
• pass a criminal background check 
• Good moral character and judgement

Orientation and Training

• Attend orientation and training and shadow a staff member on a court visit. 

Time Commitment

• Visits should last between 45 minutes to 1 hour. 
• Minimum commitment of completing assigned visits to complete program hours. 

Benefits/Experience Gained

• Court monitors will gain experience working as a court monitor for the probate court. 
• Increased knowledge about individuals with a range of mental disabilities such as Alzheimer's, mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or a head injury
• Travel to nursing homes, group homes, foster homes, and/or private homes to learn about various treatment and care settings