1. What is CASA?
2. How did CASA start?
3. What, exactly, does a volunteer do?
4. How is a CASA volunteer different from a social worker?
5. How is a CASA volunteer different from an attorney?
6. Do judges, attorneys, and social workers support CASA?
7. How does CASA differ from the Big Brother/Big Sister program?
8. What is the time commitment for being a CASA volunteer?
9. Who can be a CASA volunteer?

What is CASA?

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a nationwide program of volunteers who are appointed to abused and neglected children in the Juvenile Court System and then make recommendations to the judge for the children's long-term welfare. Simply put, our CASA volunteers speak up for these children and help them find safe, permanent homes. They also develop a relationship with the children.

How did CASA start?

In 1976, juvenile court judge David Soukup of Seattle, WA, saw a recurring problem in his courtroom. Though he was receiving information from social workers, lawyers, teachers and other professionals, their opinions and recommendations were limited in scope. Soukup was frustrated that he couldn't see the whole picture of the child's life, and thus couldn't make a satisfying judgment for the child's placement.

“As a judge, I had to make tough decisions. I had to decide whether to take a child from the only home he's ever known, or leave him someplace where he might possibly be abused. I needed someone who could tell me what was best for the child, from the child's viewpoint."

He initiated a program of community volunteers who would be sworn in as officers of the court and would then be responsible for investigating all aspects of the child's life and reporting their findings to the court. This one-on-one interaction would allow for a thorough synthesis of the child's needs and help the judge make a more-informed decision.

After the success of the pilot program in Seattle in 1977, six more pilot programs were set up throughout the country in 1980.

A more detailed history of the CASA program from National CASA

What, exactly, does a volunteer do?

After extensive training, the CASA volunteer is sworn in as an officer of the court and is assigned to an abuse or neglect case by a juvenile court judge. The CASA then begins the process of understanding all the details of the child's case, from reviewing documents to interviewing everyone involved to meeting the child and his or her family. After compiling all of the information, the CASA is prepared to make a formal report to the court, recommending what he or she thinks is in the best interest of the child so the judge can make an accurate and informed decision. Moreover, the CASA volunteer can suggest and help implement services that the child or family might need, such as substance abuse counseling or after-school tutoring. The CASA continues to monitor the case until the child finds a safe, permanent home and the case is closed. Here is a summary of the CASA volunteer's duties:

• Meet with the child each week

• Gather information from interested parties

• Keep an eye out for any unmet needs of the child and interact with care providers to get those needs met

• Write a court report for each hearing, giving the judge the information gathered, the child's wishes, and recommendations regarding what is in the child's best interest

• Attend court hearings pertaining to the child

• Monitor the case by doing all of the above until the child is in a safe, permanent, nurturing home

How is a CASA volunteer different from a social worker?

Social workers are employed by the Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services and have a number of children on their caseloads. The social worker is responsible for helping the entire family, including setting up services. The CASA volunteer is an advocate for the child, is not paid, works with just one case, and does not set up services. The CASA volunteer does not replace a social worker on a case; he or she is an independent officer of the court and works with the social worker in promoting the child's best interests.

How is a CASA volunteer different from an attorney?

The CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation for the child in the courtroom; he or she does not replace an attorney on a case (all of the children are appointed an attorney.)

Do judges, attorneys, and social workers support CASA?

CASA of Santa Barbara County has considerable respect within the child welfare system. Volunteers are welcome in both courtrooms within the Juvenile Court, and judges often commend our CASAs for their dedication and insight. Social workers, attorneys, teachers, therapists, physicians and other professionals are willing to cooperate with our advocates because they know our volunteers undergo extensive training and maintain objectivity as officers of the court. Nationally, CASA has been endorsed by the American Bar Association and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

How does CASA differ from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program?

CASA is only appointed to children who are in the dependency court system; that is, a court case has been opened through Child Welfare Services. Like the Big Brother/Big Sister Program, CASA volunteers develop a relationship with the child through weekly visits. However, the role of the CASA is not limited to this relationship. The CASA also gathers information about the child, writes court reports, and attends the child's court hearings. The CASA program has been likened to a “Big Brother/Big Sister with teeth.”

What is the time commitment for being a CASA volunteer?

We ask for a year commitment. Once a volunteer is assigned to a case, he/she must meet with the child for at least an hour each week. Some time is also spent making phone calls to people who are involved in the child's life. More time is spent by CASA volunteers when court is approaching, which is usually every six months, sometimes more frequently. This is because a court report must be written (usually 1-4 pages in length) and the court hearings must be attended. On a typical week, the CASA volunteer spends time with the child and makes a few phone calls.

Who can be a CASA volunteer?

CASA volunteers are ordinary people who are concerned about the happiness and safety of all children. You do not need a social work background or legal expertise to be a good advocate, but you do need to be committed to your case and willing to advocate for what is in the child's best interest. Part of the CASA program's success has been its diversity of volunteers—full-time workers and stay-at-home parents, retirees and college students, people of all races, religions, and economic backgrounds who want to make a difference in the life of a child. We do require that our volunteers are 21 or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and successfully pass our background screening, but all other skills and knowledge are taught in our extensive training program.