CASA Volunteer FAQ

I would like to be a CASA volunteer. How do I apply?

1) Fill out the volunteer sign-up form.
Someone from CASA of Washtenaw County will contact you as soon as possible.
2) Download and fill out the following forms (located at the bottom of this page):
- CASA volunteer Application Form,
- DHS Child Abuse Registry Clearance, and the
- Security Clearance Form for CASA.

Thank you for your interest and generosity!

What will I do as a CASA volunteer?

CASA volunteers are advocates for children who have been removed from their homes because there has been abuse or neglect. Being in foster care is a difficult time for a child. They worry about what will happen next and hope for a permanent home. CASAs help these children in a variety of ways:

They get to know the child, the birth parents, the foster parents, social workers and others, and they get a perspective on what represents the child’s best interest.

They report to the judge about the child’s situation to help the judge make an informed decision about the case.

They act as the child’s advocate in recommending or monitoring receipt of educational, medical, therapeutic, or housing services.

What kind of training will I get?
The initial CASA training is 30 hours of classroom education, conducted over several weeks during evenings and two Saturdays. The training is conducted by the CASA Coordinators in a group setting with 6 to 10 potential CASA volunteers. A CASA is required to complete 12 hours per year of ongoing education, which can be completed through group lectures, conference attendance, independent reading, or the monthly CASA meetings.
What kind of obligation do I take on when I decide to enroll in training?
CASA welcomes interested volunteers to take the training to learn more about whether being a CASA volunteer is for you. When you complete the initial training, you will meet with the CASA Coordinator to determine whether you will proceed to being sworn in as a CASA volunteer.
How much time does a volunteer spend each week?
Time varies but is usually two to three hours per week, including phone and site visits. There may be more time in the beginning of a case due to research, and less time later in the case if the child is in a stable foster home.
What kind of help can I get if I'm having questions or problems with my case or don't know what to recommend to the judge?
CASA volunteers are supervised by a CASA coordinator, who is a social work professional with many years of social work and case management experience. The CASA coordinators provide advice and direction, review reports prior to submission to the court, and handle issues if a CASA volunteer is having difficulty with another professional associated with the case. CASA volunteers meet as a group once a month to talk about their cases and exchange ideas and support.
How will I carry out my obligations as a CASA volunteer?

CASA volunteers visit with the child every week or two and engage in activities with them, like going to a movie or a ball game, taking a walk, playing games, etc. Volunteers also meet with parents, teachers, and others by phone or in person. Prior to any court hearing about the child’s case, the CASA prepares a report for the judge about the child’s status and best interests, and appears in court to answer questions about the case.

How many children are assigned to a CASA volunteer?

CASA volunteers are assigned one child or a set of siblings.

How many CASA volunteers are in Washtenaw County?

There are currently 40 active CASA volunteers.

Do all neglected and abused children get a CASA?

There are not enough CASAs to assign to every child who is under the jurisdiction of the court because of neglect or abuse. CASA coordinators and judges work together to assign CASAs to children most in need. Factors which may influence this decision include:
The instability of the child's current placement.
The presence of conflicting case information.
Concerns about the implementation of special services, such as medical care, counseling and education assistance.

I'm not a social worker or lawyer. Can I still be a CASA?

Most CASA volunteers are not trained professionals. CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, and their main qualification is a desire to help children in a very vulnerable and precarious situation. Skills which are required to be a CASA volunteer are:
Commitment: The vast majority of cases last one to two years, and the amount of time spent on a case per month typically ranges between 10-20 hours. Volunteers must make case time a priority in order to provide quality advocacy.
Objectivity: Volunteers research case records and speak to everyone involved in a child's life, including their family members, teacher, doctor, lawyer, social worker and others. Their third-party evaluations are based on facts, evidence and testimonies.
Communication skills: Once a volunteer has fully evaluated a case, they prepare a written report outlining their recommendation for the child's placement. They must be able to speak with authority as they present their rationale to the judge in court.

How will a case be assigned to me?

The CASA coordinators work with the judges to assign children to CASA volunteers. A volunteer has the option to accept or refuse an assignment. The actual assignment is done via a court order, which provides the CASA volunteer the authority required to do the job.

What kind of obligation do I take one when I accept a case assignment?
Once a CASA completes training and is sworn in as an officer of the court there is an expectation that the CASA will take a case and see it through to completion. The length of time a case is active varies from months to years. The rule of thumb is to commit to being a CASA volunteer for at least 18 months.

Am I the child's advocate forever?

Once the child is in a permanent home, either through reunification with the family, adoption, or permanent foster care, the court case is closed. The CASA volunteer no longer has an official role in the child’s life, and they are encouraged to not maintain a relationship, though some CASA volunteers continue to be a family friend.

What does it mean to say a CASA is an officer of the court?
CASA is a national program, and it was created to enable volunteers to be “the eyes and the ears of the court.” CASA volunteers are sworn in by the county court judge to give them the status to act in an official advisory role to the judge.
What does it mean to be a certified CASA program?
The 948 local and state member CASA program offices adhere to formal standards set by National CASA and are required to pass a quality assurance review, which is administered every four years. This self-assessment is a course of action taken by local programs in order to evaluate and improve their operations.
Is the Washtenaw County CASA Program certified?