Become a CASA Volunteer

Who are CASA volunteers?
CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are ordinary people who care about kids. They come from all backgrounds. Many work full time. Some are students or retired people. Most CASA volunteers work on one case at a time. No legal expertise is required. There are other ways to participate as a volunteer besides a case volunteer. For example, you may wish to be considered for our board of trustees or board committee. Please contact us if you are interested in a board role. 

What exactly does a volunteer do?
CASA volunteers are assigned to an abuse or neglect case by a judge. They conduct thorough research on the background of the case, reviewing documents, interviewing everyone involved, including the child. They make reports to the court, recommending what they believe is best for the child, providing the judge with information that will help her make an informed decision. CASA volunteers can be instrumental in assuring that a child or family receives services which the court has ordered - things like substance abuse counseling or special education testing. During the life of a case, a CASA volunteer monitors the child's situation to make sure she/he remains safe. CASA volunteers may be the only constant the child knows as he/she moves through the labyrinth of the child welfare system.

What does it take to be a CASA volunteer?
Commitment
When you take on a case, you take on a child's future. Most programs ask a commitment of at least a year. Some cases last longer. The amount of time you give to a case will vary depending on the stage of the proceedings. Nationally, CASA volunteers give an average of 88 hours per year.

Objectivity
The CASA's role is to represent the best interests of the child. That may not always mean what the child wants. CASA volunteers must be able to talk to everyone involved in a case and remain objective in their recommendations. While they will establish a relationship with the child, the CASA volunteers' role is not to become a Big Brother or Sister to the child.

Good Communication Skills
CASA volunteers must be able to talk to a wide variety of people from healthcare professionals to school officials to biological parents. CASA volunteers present written reports to the court, sometimes speaking in the courtroom on behalf of the child's best interests.

What about training?
Our CASA program provides in-depth training on issues of the court process, child development, abuse and neglect, cultural competency, advocacy and interviewing techniques, HIV and other public health topics, etc. You will hear from judges, attorneys, social workers and other professionals in the field. We also offer in-service training on many subjects.

CASA of Mercer County uses a 30-hour curriculum developed by National CASA. A volunteer supervisor or program director is available to discuss your case, help problem solve and make sure you get the support you need. Many programs have mentor components where experienced volunteers are matched up with new volunteers. Every year hundreds of volunteers attend the annual National CASA Conference.

Are you interested in volunteering?
We invite you to attend one of our volunteer orientation sessions where we will describe the CASA program in detail and answer any questions you might have. Please check our calendar to find out when the next volunteer orientation session will be held and sign-up as a volunteer, or contact our offices to obtain moreinforamtion about volunteer activities and training.

CASA of Mercer County
180 Ewingville Road
Ewing, NJ, 08638

tel (609) 434-0050
fax (609) 434-0080

email: staff@casamercer.org

Call 609-434-0050 for information regarding Board or Committee participation or email to staff@casamercer.org.