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Voluntarios
Voluntarios
What does CASA stand for?
CASA is an acronym for “court-appointed special advocates,” which is a community volunteer who is trained to work with a child in foster care while a decision is made on where that child should live.
How long does training take?
A trainee can expect to spend 30 hours learning about the program, including 6 hours of classroom instruction, 23 hours of self-paced independent study, and 1 hour of courtroom observation. Once fully trained, an additional 12 hours per year of continuing education is required.
Do I need prior legal or social work experience?
No experience is required. CASA provides comprehensive training, ongoing guidance, and staff support so volunteers feel prepared and confident. Experience with children is a plus but not a requirement.
What are the requirements to be enrolled in training?
Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, pass a background check, and successfully complete the training program. A commitment to the children, court, and CASA program is a must.
What does a CASA Advocate do?
A CASA spends one-on-one time with the child to assess their situation, monitoring changes in behavior, school performance, health and well-being. They remain with the child through multiple living situation changes and speak up for the child in court to help judges make the best decision for their welfare.
How much time is required of a volunteer?
Once trained, most advocates spend 5-10 hours a month, including visiting one-on-one with the child; communicating with related parties, including the social worker, therapist, CASA coordinator, school teacher, and resource family, attending meetings, and reading and writing emails and reports related to the child's case.
What if I need help or feel unsure at any time?
Each CASA is assigned to an Advocate Supervisor who will answer questions, attend meetings with the volunteer and meet one-on-one whenever necessary.
How do I get started?
Submit a volunteer inquiry through our site or contact the CASA office. We'll walk you through orientation, training dates, and the onboarding steps.
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