What is a CASA volunteer?

• Are you a mature, responsible adult?
• Can you talk to people who are having problems?
• Do you have time to commit?
• Do you care about children?

If you answered “yes”, then may qualify to become a CASA volunteer.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained community member who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court.

Not only will this experience enhance existing skills, you will acquire new skills that impact your professional and personal life. Our intensive training program and on-going support combined with your commitment as a CASA help you:

• expand interpersonal skills
  • work with individuals from different backgrounds/cultures; and
  • network with other volunteers, professionals from other agencies and the court, and CASA staff.
• increase leadership ability.
  • As a CASA, you are a well-respected and important member of the advocacy team for the child.
• increase your confidence.
• gain an increased sense of community and knowledge in areas such as
  • domestic violence.
  • child abuse & neglect.
  • substance abuse.
  • the legal system—experience it & understand how it works.
• feel proud that you are making a positive contribution to community.
  • Help break the deadly cycle of abuse that affects all of us.

FEEL GOOD THAT YOU HAVE HELPED A CHILD FIND SAFETY AND PERMANENCY!

The CASA volunteer’s ultimate goal for the child is safety, accomplished as quickly as possible. As the “expert” on the child, the CASA volunteer provides a judge with carefully researched background on the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child’s future. The CASA volunteer must determine if it is in a child’s best interest to return to his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, be placed with other relatives, or be freed for permanent adoption.

Responsibilities include: reviewing records, researching the child and family’s situation, regularly visiting the child wherever the child may be residing, attending meetings concerning the child and family, writing a report/recommendations to the judge before each court meeting, and working with the CASA staff attorney who represents the child in all legal proceedings.

• Each year, 2000 – 3000 children in Jackson County come under Jackson County court jurisdiction due to abuse and neglect.
• CASA is able to serve only 800 children per year with current volunteer pool.
• We need more CASA volunteers so we can serve more children.

The involvement of a CASA volunteer helps

• Ensure safety of the child while under the jurisdiction of the court.
• Move the child to a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.
• Eliminate future abuse and neglect (for the child). Statistics estimate that one third of abused children grow up to continue the cycle of abuse with their own children.

Abused and neglected children can easily become lost within our overburdened legal system. A CASA is often the only constant in the life of a confused child, separated from their family and shuffled between court and foster homes. A CASA offers the child comfort and support throughout a complex situation.

According to the National CASA Association, abused and neglected children are more likely to face homelessness, unemployment, and prison as adults. However, children with CASA volunteers are more likely to receive therapy, health care and education. Judges have observed that CASA children have better chances of finding permanent homes than non-CASA children. In 1998, the University of Texas School of Social Work Research concluded that CASA volunteers moved children to a safe, permanent home six months faster than children who did not have a CASA volunteer.

• Passion and commitment to children
• “Moxie”—able to stand firm even in unpopular situations
• Willingness to give 4 – 10 hours a month for minimum of 12 months

Prospective volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, and undergo criminal and Child Protective Services background checks. Applicants are required to complete a volunteer application, attend a pre-training interview, and participate in volunteer training. Volunteers should have effective oral and written communication skills.

To prepare a recommendation for the child, 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 and caseworker reports; and other documents.

Safety to our children AND our volunteers is of the utmost importance.

Attorneys represent legal interests. CASAs are responsible for making recommendations about what things would be best for the child. The CASA volunteer does not file legal paperwork with the court. However, the CASA volunteer does provide crucial background information that assists the court in decision making. The attorney is the “expert” on the law. The CASA is the “expert” on the child.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of educational and ethnic backgrounds. There are more than 70,000 CASA volunteers nationally and more than 241 active in Jackson County. Aside from their CASA volunteer responsibility, more than half are employed in regular full-time jobs. All share the same passion and determination to finding a safe, permanent home for the children.

Typically each CASA carries one case at a time, allowing them to focus on the particular needs of one child or sibling group. If you and a friend, family member or co-worker would like to “partner” on a case, you would both go through the application, screening and training process. Then you could choose to share a case and the responsibilities associated.

The scheduling of most volunteer activities is flexible. While each case is different, a CASA volunteer usually spends 4 – 10 hours each month doing research and spending time with the children on their case. During the initial phase of a case, there may be several court hearings and meetings to attend during the daytime hours. However, phone calls and visits can be arranged in evenings and on weekends to gather additional information. As the case progresses, the time between daytime meetings and hearings may increase while more monitoring is needed to be sure that services ordered are being implemented. CASA volunteers work with the case until it is resolved.

In addition to 30 hours of quality pre-service training covering a variety of topics such as domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, child development, substance abuse, diversity, mental health, legal, and Children’s Division, you will receive continuing education opportunities. A CASA case supervisor is always available and CASA attorney (legal representative) is present in hearings. You are part of a three-member advocacy team for the child!

There are plenty of volunteer opportunities to lend your talents to Jackson County CASA. They vary from planning events to general office help. Perhaps you would like to be a Table Captain for our annual Light of Hope “friend and fundraising” breakfast or help on a board committee. For more information on other volunteer opportunities, call 816-842-CASA (2272) ext. 220.