While they will establish a relationship with the child, the CASAs' role is not to become a Big Brother or Sister to the child. CASAs must be able to talk to a wide variety of people from healthcare professionals to school officials to an angry parent. CASAs present written reports to the court, sometimes speaking in the courtroom on behalf of the child's best interests. CASA programs provide in-depth training on issues of the court process, child development, abuse and neglect, cultural competency, advocacy and interviewing techniques, HIV and other public health topics, etc. You will hear from judges, attorneys, social workers and other professionals in the field.
Programs also offer inservice training on many subjects.