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What is a CASA volunteer?
What children are assigned CASA volunteers?
How is the role defined?
What is the CASA program looking for in a volunteer?
Do all juvenile courts utilize CASAs to fulfill the role of GAL?
What are the primary functions of the CASA?
What is the time commitment?
How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved with a case?
How does a CASA volunteer differ from a Job and Family Services Social Worker?
How does the role of a CASA volunteer differ from an attorney?
Do lawyers and judges support CASA?
Does the federal and state government support CASA?
Are there other agencies or groups that provide the same service?
What is the role of the National and State CASA Associations?
How is CASA funded?
Do CASA/GAL's really make a difference for children?
Does National CASA have a web site?
How do I contact the local CASA office?
What is a CASA volunteer?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained volunteer, supervised and supported by professional staff, and appointed by a judge to act in the role of Guardian al Litem by representing the "best interest" of abused/neglected children. Top of page
What children are assigned CASA volunteers?
In Geauga County, CASA volunteers are assigned to all children who become involved in the juvenile court due to abuse and neglect. Top of page
How is the role defined?
The role is defined by federal and state law and by the National and State CASA Associations. The law required that a Guardian ad Litem be appointed to an abused and neglected child and "perform whatever functions are necessary to protect the best interest of the child" including investigation and monitoring. National and State CASA set standards for how the role is performed which includes visiting the child at least once per month. Charles Henry, Juvenile Judge, asks that CASAs act as his "eyes and ears" providing detailed information to enable him to make well-informed decisions. See court rules. Top of page
What is the CASA program looking for in a volunteer?
- Men and women of diverse race, ethnic, religious, etc backgrounds providing a variety of perspectives to better serve the children (clients).
- People who can commit to 8-10 hours per month for two years to see a case through to closure. Weekday time is needed to attend court hearings, meetings, and to communicate with caseworkers, teachers, therapists, etc.
- People who are detailed, thorough, open-minded, good team members and have good written and oral communication skills.
- Must be 25 years of age or older. Top of page
Do all courts utilize CASAs to fulfill the role of GAL?
No. There are over 950 CASA programs throughout the United States. In counties where CASA programs do not exist, attorneys usually provide the GAL services. Top of page
What are the primary functions of the CASA?
- Thoroughly investigate a case by talking to all relevant people involved: parents, children, teachers, children's services, social worker, etc. then provide the facts and recommendations to the judge.
- Monitor the progress of the family as they receive services, by talking to all service providers.
- Updating the judge at each three month court review.
- Facilitate communication among all the principle people involved.
- Visit the child monthly and advocate for his/her unique needs.
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What is the time commitment?
The pre-service training is 32 hours which includes the court process and laws, the special needs of the children and the issues that affect the families. Once appointed to a case, a CASA spends about 8-10 hours per month. Volunteers must be able to give weekday time to attend court hearings, occasional meetings and make calls to other professionals involved in the case. CASA standards require 12 hours of ongoing training per year. Top of page
How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved with a case?
The CASA is assigned to the case until it is resolved and closed in the court. This is often one to two years. One of the primary benefits of the CASA program is that the volunteer is usually the only consistent person involved for the life of the case.
Cases are resolve and closed in a few ways:
- When the family has made sufficient progress and court intervention is no longer needed.
- If the parents are unable to benefit from the therapeutic services to provide a safe, nurturing home, a relative may receive legal custody.
- If there are no appropriate and willing relatives available to provide a home, the court may terminate the parent’s rights and the child will be placed for adoption. Top of page
How does a CASA volunteer differ from a Job and Family Services Social Worker?
The CASA volunteer is only asked to take one case at a time; the JFS Social Worker is a service provider who carries a caseload of 8 to 10 families. Though there is some overlap in tasks, the CASA role is defined as conducting an independent investigation. This is part of the check and balance system in the court. Top of page
How does the role of a CASA volunteer differ from an attorney?
In Geauga County, the CASA program provides all the guardian ad litem services for the abuse, neglect and dependency cases. CASA volunteers do not provide legal advice or representation. Some of the children served by CASA are also assigned an attorney who protects their rights and represents their wishes.
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Do lawyers and judges support CASA?
Yes. Juvenile and family court judges implement the CASA program in their courtrooms and appoint volunteers. Charles E. Henry, Geauga County Juvenile Judge, initiated the CASA program in 1996. The American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the National Counsel of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Judges and Delinquency Prevention have endorsed CASA. Top of page
Does the federal and state government support CASA?
CASA is a priority project of the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The office encourages the establishment of new CASA programs, assists established CASA programs, and provides partial funding for the National CASA Association. Ohio law promotes CASA by stating "when the court appoints a guardian ad litem..., it shall appoint a qalified volunteer or court appointed special advocate whenever one is available and the appointment is appropriate."Top of page
Are there other agencies or groups that provide the same service?
No. There are no other programs in Geauga County that provides GAL services and no other program like CASA in the country.Top of page
What is the role of the National CASA Association?
The National and Ohio CASA Associations are non-profit organizations that provide public awareness, support, training and technical assistance to local members. Standards are set and reviewed to ensure a level of consistency, effectiveness and professionalism. Top of page
How is CASA funded?
All juvenile courts financially support Guardian ad litem services for abuse and neglect cases because children are unable to pay. In addition, CASA for KIDS receives federal and state money through the Attorney General’s office; Victims of Crime Division. Training is partially supported through funds from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
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Do CASA/GAL's really make a difference for children?
Yes! The benefit of utilizing volunteers to perform this role is that they truly provide an independent voice and have the time to devote to one case. They also can relate to the family more informally and this can provide a nice balance between the professionals and the CASA volunteer. See Make a Difference Top of page
Do National and Ohio CASA have a web site?
National CASA website:
http://www.casaforchildren.org
Ohio CASA website:
http://www.ohiocasa.org
How do I contact the local CASA office?
CASA for KIDS of Geauga County
470 Center Street, Building 6-C
Chardon, OH 44024
(440) 279-1699
E-mail us
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