What is CASA?

A Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interest of a child in court. Children helped by CASA volunteers include those for whom home placement is being determined in Juvenile, Circuit, and Chancery Courts. Most of the children are victims of abuse and/or neglect.

What is the role of the CASA volunteer?

A CASA volunteer provides a judge with a carefully researched background investigation of the child and his circumstances to help the court make a sound decision about the child’s future. Each home placement case is as unique as the child involved. The CASA volunteer must determine if it is in the child’s best interest to stay with his parents or guardians, be placed in foster care or be freed for permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer then monitors the case until it is permanently resolved.

How does a CASA volunteer investigate a case?

In order to make a recommendation, the CASA volunteer talks with the child, the parents, other family members, social workers, school officials, health providers, and others who are knowledgeable about the child’s history. The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child – school, medical, caseworker reports, and other documents.

How does a CASA volunteer differ from a social service caseworker?

State governments employ social workers generally. They sometimes work on as many as 60 to 90 cases at one time! The CASA volunteer has more time and a smaller caseload, typically 1 case at one time. The CASA volunteer does not replace a social worker; rather, he acts as an independent appointee of the court. The CASA volunteer can thoroughly examine a child’s case, has knowledge of community resources, and can make a recommendation to the court, independent of state agency restrictions.

How does the role of a CASA volunteer differ from an attorney?

The CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation in the courtroom. However, the CASA volunteer does provide crucial background information that assists attorneys in presenting their cases. It is important to remember that CASA volunteers do not represent a child’s wishes in court; rather, they speak for the child’s best interest.

Is there a “typical” CASA volunteer?

CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens from all walks of life, representing a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. There are more than 3,000 volunteers serving 43,000 children nationally. CASA of Memphis and Shelby County has over 200 voulunteers. Aside from their CASA volunteer work, 85 percent are employed in regular, full-time jobs. The majority tend to be professionals and two-thirds of CASA volunteers, nationwide, are women.

What are training does a CASA volunteer receive?

CASA volunteers undergo a thorough training course conducted by the local CASA program. Training requirements vary from program to program. An average training session involves approximately 30 hours. Volunteers learn about courtroom procedure from the professionals in the system – judges, attorneys, social workers, court personnel, and others. CASA volunteers learn effective advocacy techniques for children and are educated about specific topics, ranging from seminars on child sexual abuse to discussions on early childhood development and adolescent behavior.

Do attorneys, judges and social caseworkers support CASA?

Yes. Juvenile and family court judges implement the CASA program in their courtrooms and appoint the volunteers. CASA has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators.

How many CASA programs are there?

Since its creation in 1977, CASA has had a dramatic impact on the nation’s court system. There are over 900 CASA programs in all 50 states.

How effective have CASA programs been?

Preliminary findings show that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers ten to spend less time in court and less time within the foster care system than those without CASA representation. Judges have observed that CASA children also have a better chance of finding permanent homes.

How much time does it require?

Each case is different. A CASA volunteer usually spends about 20 hours a month doing research and conduction interviews prior to the first court appearance. More complicated cases take longer. Once initiated into the system, volunteers work about 10 – 15 hours per month.