What does a CASA volunteer do?

CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interest of a neglected or abused child. The primary responsibilities of a CASA volunteer include the following:

  • Gather​​ information: Review documents and records, interview the children, family members ​and other parties

  • P​rovide written reports at court hearings

  • Appear in court

  • Recommend services: ​Share concerns about the child’s health, education, mental health, ​etc.

  • Monitor case

  • Visit child(ren) monthly

  • Document hours/mileage

  • Complete continuing education trainings

Time Commitment

Time commitment typically depends on the stage of the case. Volunteers report that there is a greater time commitment at the beginning of a case.  While the CASA volunteer experience is generally flexible and scheduled at the volunteer’s convenience,  occasionally there are mandatory court hearings or meetings during business hours. A typical volunteer spends:

  • 30 hours in pre-service training (15 hours in person/15 hours online)

  • 10-15 hours per month working on their case

Application Requirements

  • Be 21 years old
  • Completion of the volunteer application including references and background check
  • Participation in an interview
  • Completion of 30 hour pre-service training
  • Available for court appearances, with advance notice
  • Commitment to the CASA program for at least 1 year
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Continuing Education & Support

  • Each CASA volunteer is assigned a staff supervisor who will be familiar with their case and available for ongoing support and supervision
  • CASA volunteers are generally assigned a peer mentor
  • In-service trainings are offered by CASA of the TN Heartland on a quarterly basis
  • Peer support is available quarterly through our CASA to CASA (C2C) meetings
  • Social media pages are updated daily
  • Newsletters are sent out monthly

Continuing Education Resources

Click the links below that most interest you. Some will redirect you to other websites while some will download a PDF.