Question 1

What is a CASA volunteer?

Accepted Answer

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. Children helped by CASA volunteers are victims of abuse and neglect.

Question 2

Who can be a CASA volunteer?

Accepted Answer

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and possess a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. Community members over the age of 21 who pass a background check and complete training are eligible to become a CASA volunteer.

Question 3

How do I become a CASA volunteer?

Accepted Answer

The first step in becoming a CASA volunteer is to fill out an application and sign up for our volunteer pre-service training. After completing training and passing a comprehensive background check, the judge will swear you in as an officer of the court.

Question 4

How long is the training?

Accepted Answer

Pre-service training is 32 hours. After a volunteer has been sworn in by the court, they are required to complete 12 additional hours of training each year.

Question 5

How do you screen prospective volunteers?

Accepted Answer

Each CASA volunteer participates in a comprehensive background check process. Since Advocates work on behalf of abused and neglected children, the law requires that all advocates receive proper training, thorough screening, and assessment.

Question 6

What types of cases are assigned to CASA?

Accepted Answer

Children who are victims of abuse and neglect become wards of the court. Judges assign our advocates to children who are the most at risk, having experienced abuse or neglect and needing the Court’s protection. Some children live at home with their parents, but the majority live out of home in foster care, in group homes, or with relatives.

Question 7

What is the role of a CASA volunteer?

Accepted Answer

A CASA volunteer provides a judge with carefully researched background details about the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child’s future. Each case is as unique as the child involved. The CASA volunteer must determine if the best interest of the child is staying with their parents or guardians, remaining in foster care, or being freed for permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer makes a recommendation on placement to the judge and follows through on the case until it is permanently resolved.

Question 8

How do CASA volunteers advocate for children?

Accepted Answer

CASA volunteers offer children trust and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. They help explain to the child the events happening involving the case, reasons they are in court and the roles of the judge, lawyers and case workers. While remaining objective observers, CASA volunteers also encourage the child to express his or her own opinion and hopes about the case. Key responsibilities for our volunteers include: Advocate for the child in court, investigate and gather information, submit court reports, and monitor the case progress.

Question 9

How does a CASA volunteer investigate a case?

Accepted Answer

To prepare a recommendation, the CASA volunteer talks with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child’s history. The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child: school, medical, case worker reports and other documents.

Question 10

Do CASA volunteers go to court?

Accepted Answer

Yes, CASA volunteers will write court reports and attend court hearings to provide their report and advocate for the child's safety, well-being, and permanency.

Question 11

How much time is required to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Every child and every case is different. The amount of time required will vary, depending on the case and the child’s age and needs. Volunteers devote, on average, 8 to 10 hours per month. The volunteer continues until the case is permanently resolved. Unlike other court principals who often rotate cases, the CASA volunteer is a consistent figure in the proceedings and provides continuity for a child.

Question 12

How are CASA volunteers different from social service caseworkers?

Accepted Answer

Social workers are generally employed by the state, working many as cases at a time. The CASA volunteer has a smaller caseload (average of 1-2 cases) and more time to get to know the child and investigate a case. The CASA volunteer does not replace a social worker on a case; they are an independent appointee of the court. The CASA volunteer thoroughly examines a child’s case, build a one-on-one relationship with the child, knows about various community resources, and makes recommendations to the court while maintaining independence from state agency restrictions.

Question 13

How effective are CASA Programs?

Accepted Answer

National findings show that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in court and less time in the foster care system than those who do not have CASA representation. Judges have observed that children who have a CASA volunteer also have better chances of finding permanent homes.

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