ABOUT THE CASA VOLUNTEER
 “I am the voice of a child in court. I protect her because through no fault of her own, children like her were often brutalized, sometimes very early in their lives. At night before I go to sleep, I think about how that child is growing up in an entirely different set of circumstances than what she knew ¾ happier circumstances, healthier circumstances - and I find peace knowing I made a difference.”
- Linda Murphy CASA Volunteer
The CASA concept is based on the conviction that every child has the right to a safe, permanent home. All courts are required to appoint a Guardian Ad Litem for each child entering the court’s jurisdiction in deprivation cases. A Guardian Ad Litem can be an attorney, paid for by the court, or a trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) working as a volunteer. Throughout the country, judges turn to CASA volunteers who can focus their energy on one child at a time. The CASA volunteer conducts a thorough, detailed investigation and provides an independent recommendation to the court as to what action would serve in the child’s best interest. What is the role of the CASA Volunteer? As a child advocate, the CASA volunteer has three main responsibilities: 1) to serve as a fact-finder for the judge by thoroughly researching the background of each assigned case 2) to speak for the child in the courtroom, represent the child’s best interest 3) to continue to act as a “watchdog” for the child during the life of the case; ensuring that it is brought to a swift and appropriate conclusion.
Why is the CASA volunteer so important? Many workers in the child welfare system, including l awyers, social workers and judges, are often too overburdened to give thorough, detailed attention to each child who enters the system: a CASA volunteer has the time to focus solely on the child. Can anyone volunteer to be a CASA? Volunteers are ordinary citizens from all backgrounds and walks of life. No special or legal background is required. Many volunteers work full time, many are students; some are retired, or stay-at-home moms. CASA volunteers must be 21 years of age and are screened according to the criteria set by the state Department of Human Resources and must provide references in compliance with required background checks. What does it take to be a CASA volunteer? When you take on a case, you take on a child's future. Ideally, CASA volunteers bring a high level of objectivity, competence, commitment, and compassion to the program. The amount of time you give to a case will vary depending on the stage of the proceedings. Nationally, CASA volunteers work an average of 10 hours per month on a case. What training does a CASA volunteer receive? CASA volunteers undergo a thorough 40-hour group-training course conducted by the local CASA program staff. They learn about the legal system, the social service system, courtroom procedures and effective advocacy techniques for children along with specific topics ranging from seminars on child sexual abuse to discussion on early childhood development and adolescent behavior. Upon completion of training, volunteers are sworn in by the juvenile court judge as Court Appointed Special Advocates. At that point, they become Officers of the Court. Our next training session will take place in September 2010. Interested? Our next Volunteer Training Session will take place in September of 2010. For more information please contact the office at 706-613-1922 or info@athensoconeecasa.org.
|
