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A CASA advocate is a volunteer who is passionate
about protecting the best interests of abused and neglected children
in his or her community. Anyone with this passion can be successful
as a volunteer - regardless if you work full-time, part-time, or not
at all; regardless if you do or do not have experience in social
services, child development, or the court system; regardless of your
gender, race, religion, culture, or economic status. We are willing
to train you if you are willing to pursue a child's case with
enthusiasm and persistence.
Click here to contact us
about becoming an advocate.
When you become a CASA advocate, you are more than simply a
volunteer—you are a sworn officer of the Juvenile Court. With this
title, you are given permission to access the child's records,
interview people involved with the child, and present a formal
recommendation to the judge. But with this title you are also given
certain responsibilities, as well as a CASA case manager who will
ensure that you fulfill those responsibilities. Each unique case
will have different needs, but overall the CASA program has three
main expectations of its advocates: commitment, confidentiality, and
communication.
Too many people come in and out of these children's lives. We want
the CASA to be committed to the child and to follow the child's case
until successful closure, if possible. At a minimum, we expect the
CASA to stay with a case for a year unless the case closes before
that time. Volunteers are required to visit children weekly. On
average, CASAs spend between 15 to 20 hours per month on their
cases.
As an officer of the court, you will have access to sensitive
information about the child and his or her family. You must maintain
complete confidentiality—it is an issue of privacy, the privacy of
an innocent child. Of course you will be able to discuss the case
with your CASA case manager because he or she is also sworn to
confidentiality. But you must refrain from sharing any identifying
details with family members, friends, co-workers, or other community
members.
Perhaps the most important skill a CASA advocate needs to learn is
effective communication through writing, speaking, and listening.
This communication applies to people involved in the child's case,
but also to your CASA case manager. We ask that you maintain regular
contact by phone, e-mail, or visits to the office, including a
monthly report to track your work. CASA case managers offer valuable
support for our advocates. They are experts in the field and can
assist in developing strategies, suggest community resources, act as
a liaison to other agencies, and help compose court reports. Strong
communication with CASA case managers is crucial.
Once you decide that volunteering for CASA of Santa Barbara County
is a good fit for you, the training process begins. It includes:
A completed written application, including
the names and addresses of three references An interview with our Advocate Trainer Submission of the following documents:
An FBI/DOJ background check A DMV driving record printout A copy of your driver's license A statement of auto liability coverage Participation in our comprehensive
training program
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