Frequently Asked Questions about CASA

What does CASA stand for?

CASA is an acronym for “court-appointed special advocates” which is a community volunteer who is trained to
work with a child in foster care while a decision is made on where that child should live.

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What does a volunteer CASA do?

- A CASA spends one-on-time with a child to assess his current situation.
- A CASA looks for changes in a child’s behavior, school performance, health and well-being.
- A CASA stays with a child no matter how often their living situation changes.

- A CASA speaks up for the child in court to help judges make the best decision for their welfare.

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How much time is required of a volunteer?
A trainee can expect to spend 35 hours learning about the program including 20 hours of classroom instruction, 10 hours of independent study, and 5 hours of courtroom observation. Once fully trained, an additional hour per month of continuing education hours is required.

Once trained, volunteers can expect to spend between 5-10 hours per month doing such things as:
visiting one-on-one with the child; communicating with related parties including the social worker,
therapist, CASA coordinator, school teacher and resource family, attending meetings, and reading and
writing emails and reports related to the child’s case.

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Do I need any special experience to become a CASA?
Experience with children is a plus but not a requirement. The CASA training program provides a robust
and comprehensive education into the needs of our assigned kiddos.

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What if I need help or feel unsure at any time?
Each CASA is assigned to an Advocate Coordinator who will answer questions, attend meetings with the
volunteer and meet one-on-one whenever necessary.

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What are the requirements to be enrolled in training?

Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, pass a background check, and successfully complete the
training program. A commitment to the children, court, and CASA program is a must.