Volunteer Opportunities

 

Court Appointed Special Advocates
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained community volunteers, appointed by a judge, who speak-up for abused and neglected children in court. Volunteers come from every walk of life, with a variety of educational and ethnic backgrounds. There are more than 62,000 CASA volunteers nationally. Aside from their CASA volunteer responsibility, 50 percent are employed in regular full-time jobs.

I'm ready to become a volunteer - click here for a Volunteer Application.

A CASA volunteer provides a judge with carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a more informed decision about that child's future. The CASA volunteer assists in determining if it is in a child's best interest to stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, be placed with other relatives, or be freed for permanent adoption.

To prepare a recommendation, the CASA volunteer talks with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history. The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child -- school, medical, service providers and caseworker reports, and any other documents relevant to the case.

The CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation or direct services. That is the role of the attorney. However, the CASA volunteer does provide crucial background information that assists attorneys in presenting their cases.

The number of cases each volunteer assumes varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but an average caseload is one or two, and each case is different. A CASA volunteer usually spends about 20 hours doing research and conducting interviews prior to the first court appearance. More complicated cases take longer. Once initiated into the system, volunteers work about 10-15 hours a month.

Tell me more.

Click here for a Volunteer Application

 

CASA of the Southern Tier, Inc. has set the dates for the CASA 101 Initial training. 

Be Sure to “Save the Dates”. 

Details:

Schedule

Time:         5:00PM to 9:00PM

Dates:        October 18, 2011, October 25th and November 15th, 2011.

Location:     300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza.  2nd floor conference room 225 of the Southeast Steuben County Corning                   Library  **October 25th, downstairs in library.                              

 

Application, interview and background checks required.  Applications can be downloaded at www.casasoutherntier.org.  This is an Independent Study Training, requiring at home work and group debriefing sessions. If you are interested in participating please call Kristie Kinney at (607) 936- CASA (2272) to schedule an interview prior to the start of class. 


If you want to help children but do not have the time to commit to becoming an Advocate, consider becoming a Friend of CASA or joining the CASA Board.

If you have missed this session but would like to learn more, please call to get started!

 
 

CASA Friend

Ordinary people who care about kids. CASA volunteers come from all backgrounds. Many work full time. Some are students and some are retired. CASA Friends are volunteers who are willing to assist the CASA Program through a variety of different ways. CASA Friends can sit on a committee, volunteer in the office, support the CASA Program or just be an advocate for the Program. The CASA program also offers volunteer opportunities for younger potential volunteers. These volunteers are called “Junior CASA Volunteers” . Junior CASA volunteers can work on fundraising events, community events and participate in training sessions.

Qualifications for a successful CASA Advocate volunteer:

  • Self-motivated, but able to take direction
  • Self-confident and assertive
  • Able to keep information confidential
  • Ability to follow through
  • Able to work within established guidelines
  • Open minded and objective, Common sense, Good listener, a sense of humor
  • Skilled in oral and written communication
  • Understanding of children and families
  • Recognition of limits and boundaries
  • Flexible daytime hours to make phone calls, visit homes, and attend meetings and court hearings
  • The ability, as needed, to make calls or visits during the evening or on weekends
  • If employed during the daytime, the ability to make and receive phone calls at place of employment
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Requirements:

  • Must be age 21 or older.  (Under 21 can still volunteer for other activities)
  • Complete the volunteer application form.
  • Provide three references.
  • Complete an eligibility interview.
  • Agree to a background check.
  • Participate in the initial 30 hours of training and observe in court at least three hours.
  • Submit a biography that summarizes your background, current situation and special interests.
    • The CASA Director will conduct an interview.  If it is mutually found that CASA is the volunteer opportunity for you, you will be sworn in by a Family Court Judge.

Individuals are not eligible to become CASA Volunteers if they:

  • Are under age 21 (although they may be invited to participate in the training program and Junior CASA Volunteer Program)
  • Have a felony conviction or history of perpetrating child abuse/assault/neglect.
  • Have a past or present relationship with Children & Youth Services that would be likely to create a conflict or compromise the advocate's role.

  Responsibilities:

  • Advocate for the cases assigned as directed by the court.
  • Research all the facts about the case.
  • Communicate with your CASA supervisor all information derived from your interviews.
  • Facilitate a working relationship among all parties involved.
  • Monitor court orders.
  • Report to the court and all pertinent parties the results of your research, as directed by your CASA supervisor.
  • Attend agency and school meetings and court hearings.
  • Commit to a case for the length of the CASA assignment, or a minimum of two years.
  • Maintain comprehensive notes and records about each case, including appointments, length of time spent on calls, interviews, meetings, and results of contacts.
  • Compile a monthly log of your activities, using the form provided with the case file.  Send the updates/ time sheet to the CASA office by the 5th of each month.
  • Report any incident of suspected child abuse or neglect to the CASA supervisor.
  • Attend a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education training or outside training sessions

The initial training consists of 30 hours of instruction based on a curriculum developed by the National CASA Association.  Topics covered include: the court and child protection systems; child development; cultural diversity; legal issues; interviewing; report-writing. Completion of training does not guarantee case appointment.