Volunteering

Volunteers are everyday citizens judges appoint to advocate for the safety and well-being of children who are victims of parental abuse and neglect. They stand up for these children and change their lives. CASA volunteers are ordinary people who are concerned about the happiness and safety of all children.

You do not need a social work background or legal expertise to be a good advocate, but you do need to be committed to your case and willing to advocate for what is in the child’s best interest.  Part of the CASA program’s success has been its diversity of volunteers, full-time workers and stay-at-home parents, retirees and college students, people of all races, religions, and economic backgrounds who want to make a difference in the life of a child. We do require that our volunteers are 21 or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and successfully pass our background screening, but all other skills and knowledge are taught in our extensive training program.

What do CASA volunteers do?

CASA volunteers listen first. Then they act.

Volunteers get to know the child and talk with everyone in that child's life—parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers and others. They use the information they gather to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will be the best permanent home for them.

What does it take to be a CASA volunteer?

Being a CASA volunteer does not require any special education or background. You must pass a background check, participate in a 30-hour pre-service training course and agree to stay with a case until it is closed (a year and a half on average).

COMMITMENT

When a person takes on a case as a CASA volunteer that person is taking on a child's future. A CASA must be willing to keep appointments and follow through. The CASA Program asks you for a commitment of at least one year or the duration of the case (many cases are longer than one year). CASA Volunteers give an average of about 10-15 hours per month to a case. The amount of time a CASA gives to a case will vary depending on the stage of the proceeding. It is hard work, but very GRATIFYING! While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive.

OBJECTIVITY

The role of the CASA Volunteer is to represent the BEST INTERESTS of the child. This may not always be what the child wants. A CASA will talk to everyone in the case, and must remain OBJECTIVE when giving recommendations to the Court.

GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS

A CASA must be able to communicate with a wide variety of people, from healthcare professionals, to school officials, to parents. CASA volunteers also submit written reports to the Court and must be prepared to speak in court on behalf of the child's best interests.

Are you interested in helping children, but not ready to commit to becoming a volunteer advocate?