CASA Volunteer Description

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Title

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) - often referred to as volunteer Guardian ad Litem.

Objective

To speak for the best interest of children who are brought before the Court for reasons of abuse, neglect, and/or dependency.

Qualifications

Volunteers shall be of majority age and shall successfully complete screening requirements which include a written application, personal interview, references, and a criminal background check.

Program Goals

• To provide advocacy for abused, neglected, and dependent children who are the subject of judicial proceedings.
• To ensure the child’s best interests are represented at every stage of the court proceedings.
• To factually and objectively report findings and observations to the court.
• To monitor cases involving abused, neglected and dependent children until the terms of the court have been fulfilled.

The Duties of a Volunteer

• The CASA/GAL volunteer is a fact-finder for the court.
• A volunteer reviews records and interviews appropriate parties in the case; including the child, parents, family members, school officials, therapists and doctors.
• The volunteer makes contact with the CASA director, the child, and parties involved a minimum of once a month.
• A volunteer maintains complete confidentiality regarding information about the child, as well as the other parties involved in the case.
• A volunteer provides objective information; therefore, the CASA/GAL volunteer cannot be related to any parties involved in a case assigned to him/her or employed in a position or agency that might result in a conflict of interest.