Volunteer

What Qualifications do I need to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate?

Qualifications

No prior experience is necessary, but volunteers must be a safe and caring adult who is at least 21 years old, can pass a comprehensive background check, complete 30 hours of training, and has a desire to help children from Shawnee County who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.

What kind of support will I receive?

Every CASA volunteer is assigned an Advocate Supervisor who provides guidance, support, and resources throughout the case, and will attend or participate in all meetings with the volunteer as long as the volunteer wants that support.

What kind of training will I receive?

Training for CASA volunteers covers a wide range of topics to prepare them for effective advocacy. Core areas include the roles and responsibilities of CASA volunteers, the child welfare system, and relevant state and federal laws related to Child In Need of Care (CINC) and Juvenile Offender (JO) cases.

Volunteers also receive instruction on definitions of child abuse and neglect, child development, and the dynamics of families, including the impacts of mental health, trauma, substance abuse, domestic violence, and poverty.

Training further addresses permanency planning, the CINC court process, and domestic relations such as custody, divorce, and related Kansas laws.

In addition, volunteers learn about effective advocacy, confidentiality, and program-specific practices.

At least four of the 30 hours of training are dedicated to the local program, including communication, information gathering, record keeping, local policies and procedures, the local courts, report writing, and community resources available to meet the needs of children and families.