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Saturday, September 04, 2010

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE • BECOME A CASA VOLUNTEER

CASA stands for "Court Appointed Special Advocates"

CASA volunteers are assigned by a judge. A child with a trained CASA advocate has someone to look out for his or her best interest. CASA volunteers do this by monitoring the child's current situation, researching the case background, reviewing documents, interviewing concerned parties (including the child) and evaluating the child's individual needs. With this information, the CASA volunteer then reports their findings to the court. This information is crucial for the court to do what is truly in the best interest of the child.

CASA offers you the tools you need to make your voice one of hope!

Right now there are children who clearly need someone to care about them and to speak up for them. If you have ten to fifteen hours a month and if you would like the chance to volunteer where you can enjoy the fulfillment of seeing the tangible positive results of your hard work, then CASA is for you!

"You go into the courtroom and you will see lawyers who know the law and have dozens of kids' files, or you have social workers who know the regulations and have dozens of kids' files. But if a CASA volunteer is in the room, you will see they have just one file, and what they know is that one child. And that can make all the difference to a judge's decision regarding how the rest of that child's life is going to go."

-Anna Quindlen

CBS "The Early Show"

WHO ARE CASA VOLUNTEERS?

CASA Volunteers are ordinary people who care about kids. CASA volunteers come from all backgrounds. Many work full time. Some are students or retired people. Most CASA volunteers work only one case at a time.

No legal expertise is required.

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteer Qualifications

Volunteer Responsibilities

·   Must be 21 years of age.

·   Must complete a volunteer application.

·   If working, secure permission in advance of basic training for time off to attend periodic meetings and hearings.

·   Make an appointment and come for office interview prior to initial training.

·   Must complete a minimum of 30 hours of initial training.

·   Must appear before the courts to be sworn in as a court advocate.

·   Monitor court proceedings and appear at all hearings.

·   Attend 12 hours of continuing education/training sessions annually.

·   Commit to serve a minimum of one (1) full year.

·   Sign a statement of confidentiality

·       Willingness to work within the guidelines, policies and standards of CASA.

·       Good human relations skills and the ability to be objective.

·       Must have time, interest and energy to do the job.

·       Must have reliable transportation.

·       Must have the ability to stand up for what you believe.

·       Must be willing to receive guidance and direction, and work as part of a team.

·       Must be sensitive to cultural/ethnic differences.

·   Interview all parties, clients and professionals, as well as the child/children involved in the case.

·   Maintain records of all findings and submit required paperwork as scheduled.

·   Confer with director on a regular basis.

·   Attend all staffings concerning the case.

·   Prepare and submit court reports to the director at least two weeks in advance of hearings.

·   Appear in court as to the best interest of the child(ren).

·   Monitor the case to ensure that court orders are being followed and that services to the child(ren) are being furnished and placement is appropriate.

·   Visit the children at foster homes, group facilities or other placements.

·   Work for permanency for the child, whether that permanency is to be returned to the child's home of origin, relative placement or freed for adoption.

HOW DO I VOLUNTEER?

If you are an Arkansas resident and wish to volunteer, please submit the forms below. They can be completed electronically, then printed and faxed or mailed.

CASA Volunteer Application form

CASA Volunteer Interview Questionaire form

Or, if you prefer, you can contact us directly via email: casa@casa14.com

or by calling (870)743-2212 / 1-800-798-9157.

If you are not an Arkansas resident and would like to see a list of CASA Programs in your state visit the National CASA website.

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