CASA Volunteer Training
You do not need any special kind of education, experience or background to serve as a CASA volunteer. We will provide you with all the training and support you will need to serve as an effective advocate.
Steps to be Completed Prior to Training
Principles and Concepts That Guide CASA Volunteer Work – best interest, roles/responsibilities, relationship with the children and families, minimum sufficient
level of care
Attitude, Values and Skills that Enhance CASA Volunteer Work
· Laws Governing Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
· How a Case Enters the Child Protective Services System
· Confidentiality
· The Juvenile Court Process
· Vocabulary
· Exploring Cultural Heritage
· Understanding Personal Values
· Cross-Cultural Communication
· Developing and Action Plan
· Resources in Families
· Understanding Families Through Culture
· Stress in Families
· Risk Factors Associated with Child Abuse and Neglect
· The Impact of Mental Illness on Children and Families
· The Impact of Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependency on Children and Families
· Poverty – The Facts for Children – Myths and Risks
· Generational vs. Situational Poverty
· The Importance of Family to a Child
· How Children Grow and Develop
· Attachment / Separation
· Permanence for Children
· Educational, Emotional & Psychological Issues for Children
· Resiliency
· Establishing Rapport and Trust with Children
· Using a Collaborative Approach
· Dealing with Conflict
· Confidentiality Revisited
· Planning and Gathering Information
· A Successful CASA Volunteer Interview
· Community Resources
· Writing Court reports and Making effective Recommendations
· Appearing in Court
· Monitoring a Case
· Volunteer Safety
· Getting the Necessary Support and Supervision
· CASA Program Office Procedures
· Children – The Heart of the Matter
· Expectations and Evaluation
· A Course review – Essential Concepts for the CASA Volunteer
Court Observation
During the course of training and before the advocate can be sworn ion, they must complete a minimum of three (3) hours of court observation.
Swearing In
After the potential volunteer has successfully passes all screening requirements and 30 hours of initial training, the volunteer advocate is sworn in by the judge. At the swearing in they will take a volunteer oath where they swear to: “perform the duties assigned to them by statue as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to the best of their abilities. To respect the confidentiality of all information or reports revealed to them, unless entitled by law or authorized by court order, and to faithfully protect and promote the best interest of each child they represent until formally relieved of this responsibility by the Court or CASA Supervisor.”
After taking the oath, they will receive a certificate of completion showing that hey have successfully completed the CASA training.
Steps to be Completed Prior to Training
- Application
- Interview
- Background Check
- Central Registry Check
- Fingerprints
- Initial Review
- Three (3) Reference Checks
- Confidentiality Agreement
- Other paperwork as needed
- 30 hours of training
- Court Observation
- Swearing in Ceremony
- Introducing the CASA Volunteer Role
Principles and Concepts That Guide CASA Volunteer Work – best interest, roles/responsibilities, relationship with the children and families, minimum sufficient
level of care
Attitude, Values and Skills that Enhance CASA Volunteer Work
- Introducing the Law, the Child Protection Team & the Courts
· Laws Governing Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
· How a Case Enters the Child Protective Services System
· Confidentiality
· The Juvenile Court Process
- Exploring Cultural Awareness
· Vocabulary
· Exploring Cultural Heritage
· Understanding Personal Values
· Cross-Cultural Communication
· Developing and Action Plan
- Understanding Families
· Resources in Families
· Understanding Families Through Culture
· Stress in Families
· Risk Factors Associated with Child Abuse and Neglect
· The Impact of Mental Illness on Children and Families
· The Impact of Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependency on Children and Families
· Poverty – The Facts for Children – Myths and Risks
· Generational vs. Situational Poverty
· The Importance of Family to a Child
- Understanding Children
· How Children Grow and Develop
· Attachment / Separation
· Permanence for Children
· Educational, Emotional & Psychological Issues for Children
· Resiliency
- Communicating as a CASA Volunteer
· Establishing Rapport and Trust with Children
· Using a Collaborative Approach
· Dealing with Conflict
· Confidentiality Revisited
- Practicing the CASA Volunteer Role – Gathering Information
· Planning and Gathering Information
· A Successful CASA Volunteer Interview
· Community Resources
- Practicing the CASA Volunteer Role – Reporting and Monitoring
· Writing Court reports and Making effective Recommendations
· Appearing in Court
· Monitoring a Case
- Pulling it all Together
· Volunteer Safety
· Getting the Necessary Support and Supervision
· CASA Program Office Procedures
· Children – The Heart of the Matter
· Expectations and Evaluation
· A Course review – Essential Concepts for the CASA Volunteer
Court Observation
During the course of training and before the advocate can be sworn ion, they must complete a minimum of three (3) hours of court observation.
Swearing In
After the potential volunteer has successfully passes all screening requirements and 30 hours of initial training, the volunteer advocate is sworn in by the judge. At the swearing in they will take a volunteer oath where they swear to: “perform the duties assigned to them by statue as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to the best of their abilities. To respect the confidentiality of all information or reports revealed to them, unless entitled by law or authorized by court order, and to faithfully protect and promote the best interest of each child they represent until formally relieved of this responsibility by the Court or CASA Supervisor.”
After taking the oath, they will receive a certificate of completion showing that hey have successfully completed the CASA training.