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GET INVOLVED TODAY - HELP A CHILD
Information from
www.denvercasa.org FAQ Section
- Contact a Casa organization near you!
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 or talk 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 Denver Department of Human 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?
Denver CASA is respected within the child welfare system. Volunteers
are welcome in all the court rooms 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 the Department
of Human 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.
What is the time commitment for being a CASA volunteer?
We ask for an eighteen-month commitment. Once a volunteer is assigned
to a case, he/she must have contact with the child at least once
a 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 3-7 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 from 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.
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