In Virginia the CASA Program is established by State Law, and administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. CASA volunteers are ordinary people who care about kids. CASA volunteers come from all backgrounds. Many work full time. Some are students or retired people.
Most CASA volunteers work on one case at a time.
No legal expertise is required. National CASA has developed a 40-hour curriculum and accompanying materials which local CASA programs adapt to their own communities. The training course provides 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. Presentations are made by principals in the system lawyers, social services caseworkers, counselors, court personnel and others. Programs also offer in-service training on many subjects.