fbpx
VolunteerYouth Masks LivingRoom  Scaled

 

Change a child’s story

A CASA volunteer can come from all walks of life and receive extensive, comprehensive training to become an advocate. The majority of them hold full-time jobs. They have a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds.

21 or older

Strong oral and written communicators

Committing approximately 10-20 hours per month when they are assigned to a case

Trained before taking on a case and throughout the year

Arrow Thin

Step 1:

Information Session

Attendance is required before you apply. Sessions are offered monthly. Sign up for an online information session below.

Step 2:

Application

Once you have attended an information session and feel like this is the right volunteer opportunity for you, submit your completed application to [email protected].

Step 3:

Screening

Part of the screening process includes a 1.5- hour 1 on 1 interview with a program manager. Because we work with children, we conduct a thorough background check on all of our volunteers upon acceptance as well as every four years.

Step 4:

Training

We offer 2 training classes each year (Spring and Fall). Each one meets in the evening twice a week for 6 weeks. We also require at least one courtroom observation.

Step 5:

Induction

After successful completion of steps 1-4, you will be sworn-in by one of our local judges and ready to accept your first case.

Who can be a CASA volunteer?

You do not have to be a lawyer or social worker to be a volunteer; many of our volunteers work full-time, part-time, are retired, or are students. No special background or education is required to become a CASA volunteer. We welcome people from all walks of life. As a volunteer, you will be thoroughly trained, will be part of a treatment team, and will be well supported by professional staff to help you through each case.

We currently have a high need for diverse, bilingual, and male volunteers.

What is required of CASA volunteer?

While being a CASA is a very rewarding volunteer experience, becoming a CASA is a serious responsibility and requires that all CASAs make a minimum commitment of at least a year to the case. CASA volunteer’s average service is 10-15 hours per month. Volunteers sometimes say there is a greater amount of work at the beginning of the case when they are conducting their initial research. The CASA program is required to see the child at least one time per month.

CASA volunteers are asked to stay in regular communication with their assigned CASA staff member, providing regular case updates and submitting a draft report according to deadlines set by the CASA supervisor to ensure timely submission of your report to the Court. To be a CASA, you must pass a background check, participate in a 32-hour pre-service training course and agree to stay with a case until it is closed (a year and a half on average).

How will we help you succeed as a CASA?

  • CASA volunteers are provided with over 30 hours of training before you take your first case!
  • CASA pre-service trainings are held in the Fall and Spring of each year and occur on Monday and Thursday evenings typically for 6 weeks.
  • An assigned CASA staff member will support you along the way, by helping you problem solve, identify services, prepare/edit your reports prior to filing them with the Court
  • Ongoing support from other CASA staff and fellow CASA volunteers
  • Ongoing monthly in-service training opportunities

Can CASA volunteers provide direct services?

No. CASAs do not provide direct services to the child, such as supervising visitation or transporting the child.

How is a CASA different from the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)?

CASAs are unpaid volunteers and the GAL is an attorney representing the legal interests of the child.

*CASAs are not a party to the case and cannot bring a child’s case back before the Judge. 

*The CASA’s role is one of a “Friend of the Court” and an impartial observer, conducting an investigation as the Judge would if time permitted.

Volunteers are:

21 or older

Strong oral and written communicators

Committing approximately 10-20 hours per month when they are assigned to a case

Trained before taking on a case and throughout the year

Step 1:

Information Session

Attendance is required before you apply. Sessions are offered monthly. Sign up for an online information session below.

Step 2:

Application

Once you have attended an information session and feel like this is the right volunteer opportunity for you, submit your completed application to [email protected].

Step 3:

Screening

Part of the screening process includes a 1.5- hour 1 on 1 interview with a program manager. Because we work with children, we conduct a thorough background check on all of our volunteers upon acceptance as well as every four years.

Step 4:

Training

We offer 2 training classes each year (Spring and Fall). Each one meets in the evening twice a week for 6 weeks. We also require at least one courtroom observation.

Step 5:

Induction

After successful completion of steps 1-4, you will be sworn-in by one of our local judges and ready to accept your first case.

Who can be a CASA volunteer?

You do not have to be a lawyer or social worker to be a volunteer; many of our volunteers work full-time, part-time, are retired or are students. No special background or education is required to become a CASA volunteer. We welcome people from all walks of life. As a volunteer, you will be thoroughly trained, will be part of a treatment team, and will be well supported by professional staff to help you through each case.

We need diverse, bilingual and male volunteers so we can provide children with advocates that look like them.

What is required of CASA volunteer?

While being a CASA is a very rewarding volunteer experience, becoming a CASA is a serious responsibility and requires that all CASAs make a minimum commitment of at least a year to the case. CASA volunteer’s average service is 10-15 hours per month. Volunteers sometimes say there is a greater amount of work at the beginning of the case when they are conducting their initial research. The CASA program is required to see the child at least one time per month.

CASA volunteers are asked to stay in regular communication with their assigned CASA staff member, providing regular case updates and submitting a draft report according to deadlines set by the CASA supervisor to ensure timely submission of your report to the Court. To be a CASA, you must pass a background check, participate in a 32-hour pre-service training course and agree to stay with a case until it is closed (a year and a half on average).

How will we help you succeed as a CASA?

  • CASA volunteers are provided with over 30 hours of training before you take your first case!
  • CASA pre-service trainings are held in the Fall and Spring of each year and occur on Monday and Thursday evenings typically for 6 weeks.
  • An assigned CASA staff member will support you along the way, by helping you problem solve, identify services, prepare/edit your reports prior to filing them with the Court
  • Ongoing support from other CASA staff and fellow CASA volunteers
  • Ongoing monthly in-service training opportunities

Can CASA volunteers provide direct services?

No. CASAs do not provide direct services to the child, such as supervising visitation or transporting the child.

How is a CASA different from the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)?

CASAs are unpaid volunteers and the GAL is an attorney representing the legal interests of the child.

*CASAs are not a party to the case and cannot bring a child’s case back before the Judge. 

*The CASA’s role is one of a “Friend of the Court” and an impartial observer, conducting an investigation as the Judge would if time permitted.

Take the first step: Attend an info session

Our program currently has a strong need for volunteers that are: male, diverse, Spanish-speaking, or Mongolian-speaking. If you or someone you know matches these descriptors and would like to be a voice for a child in foster care, we encourage them to apply.

No event found!

CASA Volunteers: A voice for NOVA’s youth since 1988

Keep in touch! To hear stories from volunteers, follow @SCANofNOVA on social.