When the Court appoints a CASA volunteer to work with a child, the weekly visits are just the beginning. Write thorough, accurate court reports.
In the sea of ever-changing faces, the CASA volunteer is the one person the child knows will keep coming back β each and every week. In , a Seattle judge, concerned about not having sufficient evidence with which to make decisions involving children victimized by abuse and neglect, conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of these children in court.
CASA volunteers come from all professions and educational backgrounds. CASA provides the training you will need. Many have children of their own. The majority of volunteers are between 40 and 60 years old but our current volunteers range in age from 21 to Although consistency is one of the prime functions of a volunteer, most volunteers take vacations. We ask that you communicate with your Advocate Supervisor well in advance of travel dates.
Typically volunteers go to court 2 β 3 times a year. One of the most important and rewarding aspects of being an Advocate is making recommendations to the court for your CASA child. No it is not. A foster parent opens their home temporarily to a child or group of children in need of placement.
Every volunteer has an Advocate Supervisor. He or she is available to answer all questions and concerns. Our job is to support CASA volunteers! Most often, yes. Training totals 35 hours β 10 sessions of 3 hours each, plus court observation and a mock hearing.
