FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CASA
The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interest of a child in court by serving as an extra pair of eyes and ears for the Court and a voice for the child. Children are referred by the Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington and Rockbridge Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts (JD&R Courts) because their families have been cited for abuse and neglect and their home placement is being determined in JD&R Court.
What is the CASA volunteer's role?
A CASA volunteer provides the judge with carefully researched background information about the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child's future. Each home placement is as unique as the child involved. The CASA volunteer must determine if it is in a child's best interest to stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, or be freed for permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer makes a recommendation on placement to the judge, and follows through by monitoring the case until it is permanently resolved.
How does a CASA volunteer investigate a case?
To prepare a recommendation, the CASA volunteer talks with the child, parents, foster parents, family members, social workers, school officials, child care providers, health providers, and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history. The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child—such as school, medical, and social worker reports.
How does a CASA differ from a social worker?
Social workers generally are employed by state governments. They work on multiple, complex cases at a time and are frequently unable to conduct comprehensive investigation of each. The CASA worker, as a volunteer, concentrates on 1-2 cases at a time. The CASA volunteer does not replace a social worker on a case; he or she is an independent appointee of the Court. The CASA volunteer thoroughly examines 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. That is the role of the attorney. 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 to the child's bestinterest.
Is there a "typical" CASA volunteer?
CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. There are more than 100,000 CASA volunteers nationwide. There are over 970 local programs that vary in the number of volunteers they utilize. Aside from their CASA volunteer work, most volunteers are employed in regular full-time jobs and the majority have graduated from college. Many have advanced degrees. Two-thirds of the volunteers nationwide are women; one-third are men.
Can anyone volunteer to be a CASA?
CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens. No special or legal background is required. Volunteers are screened closely for objectivity, competence and commitment. The Code of Virginia and the Department of Criminal Justice Services specify through law and regulations that all individuals who are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer must be a minimum of 21 years of age and must submit to and pass thorough background examination.
What training does a CASA volunteer receive?
CASA volunteers undergo a comprehensive training course conducted by the local CASA program. Training requirements vary by program, but an average course is approximately 35 hours. Volunteers learn about courtroom procedures from the principals in the system--judges, lawyers, social caseworkers, court personnel, and others. CASA volunteers also 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. Twelve hours of additional in-service training is required per year during active service.
How does the CASA volunteer relate to the child he or she represents?
CASA volunteers offer children trust and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. Based on each child’s age, emotional, and social development, the CASA volunteer explains to each child the events that are happening, including the reason(s) they are in court and the roles the judge, lawyers, and social workers play. CASA volunteers also encourage the child to express his or her own opinion and hopes, while remaining objective observers.
On an average, how many cases does a CASA volunteer carry at a time?
A CASA serves on one or two cases at a time, which may involve more than one child in a family.
Do lawyers, 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.
Does the federal government support CASA?
CASA is a priority of the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The office encourages the establishment of new CASA programs, assists established CASA programs, and provides partial funding for the National CASA Association.
How many CASA programs are there?
There are now over 970 CASA programs in 50 states.
How effective have CASA programs been?
Preliminary findings show that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in court and less time within the foster care system than those who do not have CASA representation. Judges have observed that CASA children also have better chances of finding permanent homes than non-CASA children.
How much time does it require?
Each case is different. A CASA volunteer usually spends about 5-10 hours per week doing research and conducting interviews during their first 4-6 weeks of assignment. More complicated cases take longer. Once the initial investigation is complete, CASA volunteers work about 2-5 hours per week monitoring compliance to court orders and preparing court reports.
How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved with a case?
The volunteer continues until the child is in a safe and permanent home, which typically occurs in 18 months. One of the primary benefits of the CASA program is that, unlike other court principals who often rotate cases, the CASA volunteer is a consistent figure in the proceedings, and provides continuity for a child.
Are there any other agencies or groups that provide the same service?
No. There are other child advocacy organizations, but CASA is the only program where volunteers are appointed by the Court to represent a child's best interests in Court.
What children are assigned CASA volunteers?
Children who are victims of abuse and neglect who have become wards of the court are assigned CASA volunteers. The program is most common in juvenile and family court cases.
What is the role of the National CASA Association?
The National CASA Association is a non-profit organization that represents and serves the local CASA programs. It provides training, technical assistance, research, news and public awareness services to members.