CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens. No special or legal background is required. However, volunteers are screened closely for objectivity, competence and commitment. CASA volunteers must be at least 21 years old, successfully complete a police background check, and a minimum of 30 hours of pre-service training and 12 hours of continuing education each year.
CASA volunteers undergo a thorough training course.
The training takes thirty hours over a period of one month. CASA volunteers also learn effective advocacy techniques for children and are educated about specific topics ranging from child sexual abuse to how to give a report in court. The culmination of the initial training is the swearing-in ceremony with the Juvenile Court Judges. CASA volunteers are appointed to children who are in the Juvenile Court System because of abuse, neglect or dependency. CASA volunteers are not service providers for the child.