Become a CASA

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are everyday people, trained by CASA and then appointed by judges to advocate for the safety of children and youth who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.  

WHAT DOES A COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE DO?

Advocates generally visit weekly with the child/youth. For children ages birth to three, the visits will occur together with the caregiver as well as in the home. For children and youth ages 3-17, visits will be arranged with the caregiver and could include outings in the community.  For young adults 18-21, Advocates serve as mentors to assist in the transition to independent living.

When the Court appoints a CASA volunteer to work with a child, these weekly visits are just the beginning. The primary role of a Court Appointed Special Advocate is to:

  • Learn the needs of the child by reading the child’s welfare file, connecting with teachers, foster parents, social workers, doctors, mental health professionals, relatives, parents, attorneys– everyone involved in the child’s life throughout the case.

  • Engage with the child during visits

  • Recommend social services and community resources to meet the needs of the child.

  • Advocate for the child’s needs to be met promptly and thoroughly. Write thorough, accurate court reports.

  • Collaborate to ensure team members follow though on meeting the child’s needs.

  • Be a trusted support for the child. In the sea of ever-changing faces, the CASA volunteer is the one person the child knows will keep coming back – each and every week. 

No other program combines regular mentoring and preventive services with the comprehensive advocacy that influences decisions directly affecting the child’s future.

  • Step one: Attend an Information Meeting

Information meetings are your chance to learn more about what it takes to be a volunteer and ask questions.

  • Step Two: Pre-training Interview with staff

    You will receive the Volunteer Application at your information meeting. You will meet with one of our CASA staff members and share insight about who you are.

  • Step Three: Submit Screening Paperwork

    You will receive a welcome email from our Volunteer Coordinator with training information and instructions.

  • Step Four: 20-Hour Advocate Training

    Training is being done In-person and has an online component.
    NOTE: You must attend an information meeting and pre-training interview before receiving your invitation to join training.

  • Step Five: Advocate Graduation

    Includes Dependency Court Observation & Swearing-In. This takes place on a scheduled Monday afternoon at the Courthouse.

  • Step Six: Post training interview and Child Matching

    CASA’s professional staff offers each new Advocate several potential children from which to choose. The new Advocate is matched with a child/youth he or she would like to serve.

  • Step Seven: Judge signs Order of Assignment

  • Step Eight: Meet Advocate Supervisor & Begin Advocacy

Want more info? Call our Volunteer Coordinator, Ashley Simpson at (530) 283-5515 Ext. 103 or email at ashley@pcirc.com

WHO ARE COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES?

CASA volunteers are every day people that are committed to making a difference. They come from all walks of life and are truly some our community’s most impressive adults. More than half are employed, 12% are students, 18% are retired. Many have children of their own. The majority of volunteers are between 40 and 60 years old but our current volunteers range in age from 21 to 82.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A CASA

An applicant must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age

  • Commit to seeing the child 2-4 hours a week for up to two years. Every child’s case varies in length and at times a case may require additional hours of the Advocate’s time.

  • Have no felony convictions

  • Not have abused alcohol or any other substance within the last 5 years.

  • Not use illegal drugs

  • Have a valid driver’s license and car insurance, if applicant drives

  • Not be on probation or parole

  • Not have any serious physical or mental health concerns that could affect applicant’s ability to volunteer.

  • Individuals who have been convicted of a DWI or DUI within the last four years are not allowed to serve as volunteer Advocates.

  • Any applicant found to have been convicted of, or to have current charges pending for a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse, or child neglect will not be accepted as a CASA volunteer.

  • If an applicant is found to have committed a misdemeanor or felony that is unrelated to, or would not pose a risk to children and would not negatively impact the credibility of the CASA program, the CASA program will consider the extent of the rehabilitation since the misdemeanor or felony was committed as well as other factors that may influence the decision to accept the applicant as a CASA volunteer.