CASA Volunteers | Duties | Purpose | Qualifications

Purpose:

CASA volunteers promote and protect the best interests of children and youth in court dependency proceedings, the child welfare system, and the community.

What You Need to Know:

CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens with extraordinary hearts.

Volunteers are screened closely for objectivity, competence, and commitment.
Volunteers are provided with all the necessary training and training materials.
No special or legal background required.
Outside speakers as well as staff and volunteers work together to make our training sessions educational, interesting, interactive, and practical.

Minimum Qualifications:

To be 21 years of age or older
Successful completion of the 30 hour training program
Successful completion of 10 hours of court observation
To undergo local and federal criminal background checks
To complete an in-person interview with CASA staff
To commit to the program for the duration of your case
Complete 12 hours of in-service training each year
Written and verbal communication skills
Access to reliable transportation and a computer
Maintain the desire and heart to advocate for the best interests of children that have experienced abuse or neglect

CASA Volunteer Duties:

To successfully complete the requirements of the CASA training program and screening process
To gather information in order to establish the facts and circumstances of the child's situation
To actively pursue a safe, permanent placement for the child
To maintain strict confidentiality with all information related to the child and their families
To visit the child at least once a month
To ensure the child's best interests don't get overlooked while in foster care
To provide written reports of findings and recommendations to CASA staff prior to court hearings
To communicate regularly with CASA staff about the case and the advocacy steps taken to ensure the best interests of the child are represented in court
To maintain a focus on each case until permanency is achieved, assessing the progress of the case, advocating for a permanent solution and reporting problems or noncompliance to the court
To maintain genuine care and concern for the best interests of the child