BECOME A
CASA VOLUNTEER
Your impact will change a child's life forever.
IMAGINE
Imagine the experience of children who are removed from their home, their family, their siblings, and everything they know and care about. They find themselves in a world filled with new sounds, new places, new people, new smells, and new schools while social workers, lawyers, and judges make life-altering decisions on their behalf.
Fortunately, children in our community have court-appointed, trained, and committed, volunteer advocates who ensure that each child’s individual needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system.
A CASA Volunteer forms a consistent relationship with a child that provides stability and hope for better days ahead. Oftentimes, a CASA Volunteer is the most consistent presence in a foster child's life. In the midst of an unsettled and chaotic time, a CASA is there to ensure a child does not have to navigate the system alone.
CASA Volunteers do not have to navigate the system alone! Each CASA is paired with an Advocate Supervisor that is trained to navigate the legal system so that you can be the expert on the child and the child's best interests.
QUALIFICATIONS
No special education, experience, or background is required. CASA Volunteers come from all walks of life and share a commitment to improving children’s lives, a willingness to learn, and an open mind towards life experiences different from their own.
Voices for Children seeks volunteers of diverse backgrounds and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression. Currently, there is a high need for Spanish speaking CASA Volunteers.
A CASA Volunteer Must:
CASA Volunteers provide an objective view of what is in the best interests of the child or children involved in the case. It is an important commitment and a serious role entrusted to Voices for Children and every CASA Volunteer.
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Successfully pass an extensive screening and background check requirements
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Be at least 21 years of age
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Successfully complete 33 hours of classroom training provided by Voices for Children and 3 hours of court observation
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Make a 12-18 month minimum commitment to a case with an average of 10-15 hours per month invested
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Understand confidentiality and work within established program guidelines
USE YOUR VOICE
ATTEND AN INFORMATION SESSION
Have you had questions about becoming a CASA Volunteer? How do you prepare for court? How often do you see your CASA kids? Here's your chance to have these questions answered! Information sessions are an hour long and are led by Voices for Children a staff member. This is a great first step to seeing if this opportunity is the right fit for you!
FILL OUT AN APPLICATION
INTERVIEW
Voices for Children's Training Manager will contact you to schedule an interview. The interview is an opportunity for CASA staff to get to know the applicant and learn more about why they want to be a CASA. The interview is part of the screening process and ensures a good fit. During the interview, CASA staff will talk through the expectations of a the CASA role and answer your questions.
COMPLETE TRAINING
Qualified applicants will be invited to attend and complete a 33-hour CASA Classroom or Virtual Training. Training classes are offered multiple times a year in both traditional and fast-track settings to meet the needs of all interested in becoming a CASA.
TRAINING DATES
Training will be in-person at the VFC office in Downtown Bryan
Application Deadline: Monday, August 9
Swearing-In Ceremony: TBA (sometime between Sept 22-24)
Monday, August 23, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 26, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Monday, August 30, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Thursday, September 2, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Monday, September 6, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Thursday, September 9, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Monday, September 13, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Thursday, September 16, 5:30 - 9:00 pm