Many of these children also become victims of an over-burdened court system, which frequently does not have time to give detailed attention to each child who comes before it. CASAs work for the juvenile judge as appointed officers of the court, alongside attorneys and social workers. When a CASA volunteer is appointed to a child's case, he or she is responsible for gathering information about the child and family, reporting to the court the needs and progress of the case and spending consistent time with the child. Perhaps the CASA volunteers' most important contribution is their regular and close contact with the child. A CASA monitors a child's case until a permanent plan for the child's placement is approved by the court.
CASA volunteers come from all walks of life.
They have a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. No special experience is required. Volunteers are selected on the basis of their objectivity, competence and commitment. Volunteers must be 21 years of age. Training occurs in the fall and is held two nights per week for five weeks.