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A CASA volunteer is responsible for:
- Completing an intensive review of each assigned case (i.e. speaking
with the child and relevant adults, reviewing appropriate records and
reports)
- Reporting findings to the court (i.e. typed-written report containing
factual information, attend court hearings concerning the child,
participate in case conferences concerning the child)
- Attending all court hearings to ensure that all the relevant facts are
presented.
- Attending appropriate interagency meetings regarding the child
- Ensuring that public systems respond to the needs of the child
- Monitoring the assigned case following a court hearing or decision as
designated by the court.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Ability to keep all client and court information confidential
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to respect and relate to people from various backgrounds
(economic, cultural, educational) in a variety of settings
- Ability to transport self to a variety of locations
- Ability to deal with a wide range of emotions (i.e. hostility, anger)
- Ability to maintain objectivity
- Ability to gather and record factual information accurately
- A basic understanding of child development
- A basic understanding of child relationships
- Be physically, emotionally, and mentally competent
TRAINING
- CASA volunteers are required to attend approximately 40 hours of
pre-service training.
- CASA volunteers follow guidelines established by the National CASA
Association.
- CASA volunteers are required to attend in-service training and receive
direct supervision and guidance from program staff.
TIME COMMITMENT
We ask that you make a commitment to the CASA Program for at least 12
months.
Volunteers are expected to be available for case assignment and to
accept cases unless other arrangements have been made.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CASA VOLUNTEER
A CASA volunteer is an individual of at least 21 years of age who has been
screened and trained by a recognized CASA program and appointed by the court
to advocate for children who come into the court system primarily as a
result of abuse and neglect. The CASA is appointed to protect and promote
the best interests of the child for as long as the child is under juvenile
court jurisdiction or until relieved of duties by the judge. As an advocate,
the volunteer:
- Acts as an independent gatherer of information whose task is to review
all relevant records and interview the child, parents, case workers,
teachers, and other persons to ascertain the facts and circumstances of
each child’s situation.
- Determines the best interests of the child with consideration for his
or her age, maturity, social and cultural background, taking into account
the need for a safe home for the child and the importance of family
preservation and permanency planning.
- Seeks cooperative solutions, which will best serve the child’s
interests and protect his/her welfare.
- Provides typewritten reports of findings and recommendations to the
court at each hearing to assure that all the relevant facts are before the
court and to ensure that appropriate motions to relieve the child’s
situation are filed.
- Appears at all hearings to represent the child’s interests, providing
testimony or ensuring that appropriate witnesses are called and examined.
- Explains the role of the CASA and the court proceedings to the child,
when appropriate, in a language the child can understand.
- Requests that clear, specific orders are entered for evaluation,
assessment, services, placement and treatment for the child and the
child’s family.
- Monitors implementation of service plans and disposition orders to
determine whether services ordered by the court are provided in a timely
manner and are accomplishing their desired goals. Monitors the progress of
a case through the court process and advocates for timely hearings.
- Informs the court promptly of services are not being made available to
the child and/or family, if the family fails to take advantage of such
services, or if the services are not achieving their purpose. Brings to
the court’s attention any violation of orders, new developments, or
changes in the child’s circumstances.
- Advocates for the child’s interest in the mental health, educational,
and other community systems.
- Ensures that a permanent placement plan is developed and is being
implemented for any child removed from the custody of his or her own
parent or guardian.
- Remains actively involved in the case until permanency is achieved.
A CASA volunteer respects the right to privacy by keeping information
that would identify the parties involved in CASA cases confidential. The
volunteer does not become inappropriately involved in a case by engaging in
activities which jeopardize the safety of the child, the integrity of the
program, or the objectivity of the volunteer, or activities which are likely
to result in conflict of interest or expose the program to criminal or civil
liability. A CASA volunteer abides by the National CASA Association’s Code
of Ethics.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Because CASAs must exercise independent judgment on behalf of a child and
be guided solely by the best interests of the child, employees of the court
or the Department of Family and Children Services may not serve as CASAs. A
volunteer who has had prior non-CASA involvement or knowledge of a family
situation should not be appointed to that case.
CONFIDENTIALITY
A CASA maintains strict confidentiality of all information related to a
case. When appointed by court order, the CASA has the responsibility to
interview all persons having knowledge of the child’s situation and to
review all documents and reports relating to the child and the family. The
court order provides authority for access to confidential information. The
reproduction and distribution of confidential and personal information
related to any child or family should be limited. Documents and reports
contained in the records of an agency or institution should be reviewed by
appointment in the office of the agency. Documents of reports required as
evidence during the adjudicatory hearing would require a subpoena if not
already being submitted by the petitioner or another party to the case. All
information and records acquired or reviewed by a CASA can be disclosed only
to the court or upon court order to a party to the case.
Interested in becoming a CASA volunteer?
Email
[email protected]
to receive our volunteer application by e-mail or in regular mail as
requested.
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