CASA volunteers are important because...
What does a Court Appointed Special Advocate do?
Advocates generally visit weekly with the child/youth. For children ages birth to three, the visits will occur together with the caregiver as well as in the home. For children and youth ages 3-17, visits will be arranged with the caregiver and could include outings in the community and visits to the CASA house. For young adults 18-21, Advocates serve as mentors to assist in the transition to independent living.
When the Court appoints a CASA volunteer to work with a child, these weekly visits are just the beginning. The primary role of a Court Appointed Special Advocate is to:
- Learn the needs of the child by reading the child’s welfare file, connecting with teachers, foster parents, social workers, doctors, mental health professionals, relatives, parents, attorneys– everyone involved in the child’s life throughout the case.
- Engage with the child during visits
- Recommend social services and community resources to meet the needs of the child.
- Advocate for the child’s needs to be met promptly and thoroughly. Write thorough, accurate court reports.
- Collaborate to ensure team members follow though on meeting the child’s needs.
- Be a trusted support for the child. In the sea of ever-changing faces, the CASA volunteer is the one person the child knows will keep coming back – each and every week.
No other program combines regular mentoring and preventive services with the comprehensive advocacy that influences decisions directly affecting the child’s future.
Who are Court Appointed Special Advocates?
CASA volunteers are everyday people that are committed to making a difference in the life of a child or youth. They come from all walks of life and are truly some our community’s most impressive adults. More than half are employed, 12% are students, 18% are retired. Many have children of their own. The majority of volunteers are between 40 and 60 years old but our current volunteers range in age from 21 to 82. See our page of frequently asked questions for potential CASA volunteers.
Requirements for becoming a CASA
An applicant must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Commit to seeing the child 2-4 hours a week for up to two years. Every child’s case varies in length and at times a case may require additional hours of the Advocate’s time.
- Have no felony convictions
- Not have abused alcohol or any other substance within the last 5 years.
- Not use illegal drugs
- Have a valid driver’s license and car insurance, if applicant drives
- Not be on probation or parole
- Not have any serious physical or mental health concerns that could affect applicant’s ability to volunteer.
- Individuals who have been convicted of a DWI or DUI within the last four years are not allowed to serve as volunteer Advocates.
- Any applicant found to have been convicted of, or to have current charges pending for a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse, or child neglect will not be accepted as a CASA volunteer.
- If an applicant is found to have committed a misdemeanor or felony that is unrelated to, or would not pose a risk to children and would not negatively impact the credibility of the CASA program, the CASA program will consider the extent of the rehabilitation since the misdemeanor or felony was committed as well as other factors that may influence the decision to accept the applicant as a CASA volunteer.
