Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteers

Exactly What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?

CASA has been best described as the "eyes and ears" of the court and often acts as the "arms and legs" of an overworked child protective system. From helping siblings find permanent homes together, to helping a child access needed services, to uncovering information that helps reunite a loving family, volunteer advocates make an incredible difference to the lives of abused and neglected children. As a system, CASA provides significant cost savings to the tax payer by ensuring children are placed in the most appropriate home possible and as quickly as possible. 

CASA Volunteers are appointed by the Family Court Judge to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. The primary responsibilities of a CASA Volunteer are to:

• Gather Information: Review documents and records, interview the children, family members and professionals in their lives.

• Court Reports: Provide written reports to the court in preparation for all court proceedings.

• Attend Court: Advocate for the child’s best interests “Be the Safety Net”: Seek cooperative solutions among individuals and organizations involved in the children’s lives.

• Recommend Services: Ensure that the children are receiving appropriate services by keeping the parties involved informed of any needs currently not being addressed. Bring concerns about the child’s health, education, mental health, etc. to the court’s immediate attention.

• Monitor Case Plans and Court Orders: Assist the Court by reporting any deviation from what the court has ordered for the life of the case.

• Visit with the Child: maintain a consistent and regular visiting schedule with the child, minimum of once per month.

The Value of a CASA

Is CASA Volunteering Right for You? 

The CASA Program is not a mentoring program. CASA Volunteers conduct an independent investigation on behalf of the Family Court and advocate for the needs of the child in order to ensure their well-being and safety while in the system. The goal of each CASA case is to see it through until the child reaches a safe and permanent home. 

CASA Volunteering is a great opportunity for individuals from many walks of life particularly empty nesters, retirees, and anyone with the flexibility and availability to make a long-term commitment to improving the life of a child. All CASA Volunteers agree to remain active on their assigned case until it is closed by the court: this timeframe can be anywhere from a few months to a few years. 

If you are interested in becoming a CASA, the first step is attending one of our Volunteer Information Sessions! During the Information Session, participants will learn about the Volunteer Program, the foster care system, CASA training, and how CASA Volunteers change lives. We have Information Sessions currently scheduled to take place in our Wayne office on the following dates:

APRIL
Wayne office – Wednesday, April 3, at 5:30pm
Wayne office – Monday, April 8, at 12pm
Wayne office – Thursday, April 11, at 5:30pm
Clark Public Library – Monday, April 22, at 5:30pm
Elizabeth office – Tuesday, April 30, at 10am

MAY
Wayne Office — Thursday, May 2 at 5:30pm
Wayne Office — Wednesday, May 8 at 12pm
Clark Public Library — Thursday, May 9 at 5:30pm
Elizabeth Office — Wednesday, May 15 at 12pm
Wayne Office — Friday, May 17 at 12pm
Wayne Office — Monday, May 20 at 10am
Clark Public Library — Thursday, May 23 at 5:30pm

Questions?

The best way to get all your questions answered is to attend a Volunteer Information Session! You can also check our FAQ that covers some of the questions we get asked most frequently about being a CASA Volunteer. If you have a question that isn’t covered, feel free to contact us and we will get back to you!