WHY BECOME A CASA?

Children in foster care need YOU to advocate for their safety and well-being as well as be their voice in court while they remain in foster care. Contacting our office will allow you to learn more about the vetting process including extensive background checks and pre-service training. Calling our office will also help decide if becoming a Volunteer Advocate is a good fit for your and our children in care.

 

Although it varies from CASA program to CASA program, being a Volunteer Advocate for CASA of Johnson County means making a time commitment to your child or sibling group each month for a period of not less than 12 months. The pre-service training requires a commitment of 30 hours plus time to observe in court. Screening includes an in-person interview, completed application, written references, and a criminal background check and CPS background check. 

 

Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained volunteer community members who are appointed by a judge to advocate, on a one-to-one basis, for a child who has been removed from their home due to abuse, and/or neglect. As a trained volunteer you will get to know the child in order to communicate to the judge and other legal parties to the case the child’s perspective and the child’s needs as they remain in foster care. 

 

To ensure our children's specifics needs are met our volunteers are:

• Sensitive to our children's culture, ethnicity, religion, family structure and any existing disability.

• Caring, yet professional advocates with all parties involved in the case.

• Able to communicate clearly both verbally and written to the court, the needs of the child.

• Able to gather accurate factual information regarding the child’s case.

• Able to maintaining objectivity and confidentiality at all times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained community volunteers appointed by juvenile court judges to speak for the best interests of children who are brought before the court for reasons of abuse or neglect. A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is an official part of judicial proceedings, working alongside attorneys and social workers. By handling only one or two cases at a time the CASA can thoroughly explore the history of each assigned case. The volunteer talks with the child, parents, family members, neighbors, school officials, doctors and others involved in the child’s background who might have facts about the case. The volunteer reviews all court facts about the case and the volunteer also reviews all court documents pertaining to the case. He or she then is expected to submit formal reports to the Judge at every scheduled hearing/review. The CASA continues to monitor the case to assure that the judicial and child welfare systems are moving ahead to secure a safe, permanent home for the child, and that court-ordered services are provided to the child and family. The CASA can be an invaluable resource for the attorney for the child and social worker in reaching their goals for permanency. 

 

Training/Support Plan:

• CASA volunteers are required to attend approximately 30 hours of pre-service training and 12 hours of in-service training annually.

• CASA volunteers follow guidelines established by the National CASA Association.

• CASA volunteers have access to additional training opportunities offered by other agencies.

• CASA volunteers receive direct supervision and guidance from program staff.

• CASA volunteers are encouraged to communicate with their volunteer supervisor at any time with questions/concerns.

 

Time Commitment:

• Volunteers are required to make a 12 month commitment to the program.

• Volunteers are required to attend all court hearings on their cases – approximately 3 per year.

• Volunteers are expected to be available for case assignment and to accept cases immediately upon completion of pre-service training, unless other arrangements have been made.

CASA Pre-Service & TRAINING Requirements

• In-person interview

• Application

• 3 completed reference checks

• Criminal history check & CPS check

• 30 hours of training

• Court observations

Training Topics

• Advocacy and the Law

• Trauma Awareness

• Court Process/Monthly and Court Reports

• Sexual Abuse and the Developing Child

• Learning/Behavior Disorders

• Substance Abuse

• The Advocates Role 

• Cultural Awareness

• The Role of the Attorney

• Mock Case Assignment

• Roles of the Professionals

• Roles of the Legal Team

Volunteers who complete the required pre-service training are then sworn in as CASA Volunteer Advocate. Training consists of in-person and independent online study with course work provided. Computer proficiency is required. Please contact our office danielle@casajohnsoncounty.org

or 817-558-6995 for training dates/times.