CASA for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties

Qualifications and Requirement

 Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA)s are appointed by the Presiding Judge, County Family Part, to ensure that the best interests of the child are met. In order to do this, the CASA volunteer must investigate the facts of the case, recommend a course of action to the Court, facilitate the resolution of the presenting problems, and monitor the progress toward the established goals.

Qualifications of a CASA Volunteer:

•  Interest in children, their rights, and special needs
• Minimum age of 21 years of age  
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing – making oral and written reports to   the Court, to the CASA supervisor and to appropriate individuals
• Ability to pass National, State Central and local background checks as well as sex offender registry checks and child abuse registry checks. 
• Provide four references all from non-relatives
• Ability to respect and relate to people from various backgrounds 
• A CASA Volunteer should not be related to any parties involved in the case or be employed or in a position or with an agency that might be a conflict of interest.  These agencies include DCF and Department of Education employees
• Ability to follow through with a case for 1-2 years or until the case is permanently resolved. 

  Training

• Attend basic initial training sessions (total of 30 hours)
• Complete 12 hours of in-service training session per year
• Attend case review sessions as scheduled.

Responsibilities

• Meet in-person with the child a minimum of once   every two weeks
• Maintain complete records about the case, including appointments and information gathered about the child and the child's life circumstance
• Keep abreast of all deadlines and timetable involved in assigned cases Submit report and paperwork in a timely manner
• Devote sufficient time to investigation and follow-up on assigned cases
• Volunteers follow guidelines established by the National CASA  

Supervision

• Maintain communication with CASA supervisor on all case activity
• Communicate and/or meet regularly with case supervisor for supervisionFill out a monthly log sheet
• Periodic assessments with CASA supervisor; initial 3-month review, plus an annual review after one year
• CASA supervisor has a clear policy to resolve conflicts between volunteer and program supervisors regarding the handling of a case, reporting of information or the recommendations to be included in the report
• CASA supervisors do not alter reports or recommendations without the knowledge and agreement of the CASA Volunteer

• Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with Mercer and Burlington County CASA policies
• Return case files to the program after case is closed.