Prior to acceptance for training, a background check is completed on each advocate, and the volunteers are further screened for objectivity, competence and their commitment to the needs of children. The training is comprehensive and is conducted by judges, attorneys, social service providers, and other professionals. Training includes, among other topics, the court process, relevant laws and legal issues, cultural awareness, interviewing and advocacy techniques, personal safety, dynamics of abuse and neglect, responsibilities of CASA volunteers, and their relationship to the attorneys, service providers and the families. After training, the new advocates are assigned a mentor who is an active advocate able to share his or her experiences to help guide and educate the new advocate. CASA of DuPage County Inc., has had the good fortune to host three training classes in 1999 with 72 volunteers completing the training.
CASA volunteers are the heart of the organization.
The volunteers are from all corners of the county, male and female ranging from recent college graduates to retired individuals, and have a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. One common characteristic is that all advocates truly love children, and are seeking to make a difference in a child s life. Advocates are typically assigned one case at a time, and stay with the case for the duration that the case is in the system, or until a permanent and safe home is found for the child. Once on a case, much of the CASA advocate s time is spent interviewing the families, school officials, doctors, and others involved in the child s life. The advocate prepares a written report to the court prior to each status or hearing date.