Child Advocate's Role

Job Description

Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer Job Description

A CASA worker is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by the court to speak for the best interest of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse and/or neglect.

As Child Advocate, the CASA volunteer has three primary responsibilities:

1. To serve as a fact finder for the Court by researching the circumstances of each assigned case
2. To speak for the child in the courtroom, representing the child’s best interest
3. To facilitate/monitor the case to ensure that the child’s wellbeing is addressed in a timely fashion

Requirements:

• Minimum age of 21 year
• Attend new volunteer training – 30 hours
• Interview with Director of Training
• Consent to a criminal and reference background check
• Take an oath of confidentiality
• Attend 12 hours of in-service training a year

• Upon assignment to the case, speak with all parties involved to determine the facts
• Monthly visit with the child
• Investigate alternatives available for the child, such as placement and services if needed
• Submit written court reports for each court hearing, making new recommendations as needed, until a final disposition is made
• Maintain contact with child, family, case worker, CASA Supervisor, Attorney Ad Litem and all other parties to monitor court orders and case progress
• Bring significant changes to the court’s attention
• Appear at court hearings as well as all other hearings and meetings pertaining to the child
• Maintain monthly mileage and contacts logs
• Compliance with CASA’s National, State and local code of ethics, policies and guidelines