Children’s Christmas Party coming up in December, please contact your supervisor for more information. Case Activities and Investigation forms now available to download. Remember that your case activities form is due to your supervisor at the close of each month. Our funding from the state depends on your numbers!

1. Position Description

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a volunteer appointed by the Court to advocate for the best interest of a child who is alleged to have been abused or neglected. In order to do this, the CASA/Guardian ad Litem must investigate the facts of the case, recommend a course of action to the Court, explain the Court’s findings to the child, facilitate the resolution of the presenting problems, and monitor progress toward established goals.

2. Examples of Duties

Upon assignment of a case, interview all parties involved to determine the facts.
Investigate alternatives available for the child, such as placement and services, etc.
Submit written reports to the court for each court hearing.
Appear at court hearings to make recommendations to the court.
Continue contacts with child, family, social workers and others to monitor court orders.
Bring significant changes in the family situation to the court’s attention.
Continue follow-up contacts, submit additional reports and make new recommendations as needed, until a final disposition is made.

3. Prerequisites

Successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background investigation and child abuse and sex offender registry checks.
Participate in a screening interview and allow for background checks prior to training.

4. Requirements of a CASA

Attend all pre-service training sessions, 30 hours in length.
Maintain strict confidentiality.
Attend 12 hours of scheduled in-service annually.
After pre-service training, serve as a CASA for at least one child until a permanent placement plan has been implemented.
Keep assigned CASA Supervisor informed of all case-related activities, conferring periodically for assistance.
Maintain an up-to-date and complete file on each case assigned.
Adhere to deadlines and timetables involving an assigned case, and turn in all reports on time.
Complete evaluations, time studies, etc. which may be requested by the CASA.

5. Selection Factors

Interest in children, their rights, and special needs.
Time to devote to training sessions, investigation and follow-up of a case assigned.
Ability to work with a child, family members, and professionals, using tact, concern and basic human relation skills.
Excellent written and oral communications.
Support of the philosophy of the CASA Code of Ethics.

6. Time Frames – The CASA Program will work with 2 hours a week or two hours a month, we will utilize the time you have to give to the children!

Attend 12 hours of scheduled in-service annually: two to three hours each, offered 12 times per year.
A new case – Investigate and prepare for the first court hearing: generally 15-25 hours over a four– to six– week period.
Case management – Monitor court orders, visit children and prepare for twice-yearly review hearings: average 5 hours per week.

7. Benefits

Involvement in the CASA Program provides an opportunity to enhance written and oral communication skills, to gain an understanding of the juvenile legal system, to increase awareness of child abuse and neglect, and to have a potential impact on the quality of a child’s life.