What kind of time commitment does a CASA make?

CASAs attend 30 hours of training including court observation. A CASA visits with the child at least monthly and attends court hearings every 3 – 6 months when possible. There is typically a greater amount of work in the beginning of the case when CASAs are conducting their initial research. On average, a CASA can expect to spend approximately 10-12 hours a month on a case.  The time commitment to a case varies depending upon the stage of the case.

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After the first year of volunteering, a CASA volunteer is requested to participate in 12 hours (over the course of a year) of in-service training/ continuing education on many subjects which the program provides for them throughout the year.

 

CASAs are asked to dedicate themselves to a case until it is closed. The average case lasts about a year and a half. Most CASA programs required that a volunteer commit to serve for at least one year.

 

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Who can become a CASA volunteer?

Volunteers do not need to have any legal or special experience or education.  CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and share a commitment to improving children’s lives, a willingness to learn, and an open mind towards life experiences different from their own. There are retired teachers, steel workers, business administrators, nurses and physical therapists, stay-at-home parents, software engineers, and college students, and more!

 

Volunteers must be age 21 or over and should be a mature and responsible individual with good judgment who has the ability to remain objective, relate to families and professionals, and communicate orally and in writing.

 

Once accepted to the program after an interview and background check, a potential volunteer will receive comprehensive training that starts at the ground floor and teaches a trainee about everything from courtroom procedures, social services, and the juvenile justice system, to the special needs of abused and neglected children, and how to get those needs met by the system.

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Click here for online application

For volunteers, CASA is a life-changing experience that makes our community a better place. If you are looking for a meaningful and enriching volunteer opportunity and want to do something about child abuse, CASA is right for you. We hope you decide to join our community of volunteers.

 

For more information about becoming a CASA, contact the CASA Program Director, Sarah Fink, at 219.464.9585, or email casainfo@fysb.org.