CASA volunteers are ordinary people - except when they're viewed through the eyes of a child in a courtroom. Then they seem like the most special people in the world!
Varied in educational backgrounds and career paths, volunteers need the following qualifications:
interest in children, their rights and special needs
interpersonal skills
communication skills-oral and written
minimum age requirement is 21
no criminal history
organizational skills
objectivity
All volunteers are screened carefully. Objectivity, competence and commitment are vital to being a successful volunteer. Those who complete the screening process undergo in-depth training, which is conducted by our local CASA program.
Volunteers receive a thorough working knowledge of the court system and the people involved, including the roles of judges, lawyers, and social workers.
CASA volunteers are also taught effective advocacy techniques, and learn about a variety of relevant topics, from adolescent behavior to signs of sexual abuse.
The CASA volunteer functions in many roles including those of
Investigator: through independent investigation on behalf of the child they represent, including interviews with medical professionals, mental health staff, neighbors, family, school officials, law enforcement personnel and the child;
Monitor: through ensuring that court-ordered services are provided to the child and family and that the case progresses;
Spokesperson: through assuring that the child understands that their own options or interests may prevail over the adults who have abused or neglected them, that the child's wishes are heard and that the best interest of the child is presented to the court and agencies dealing with the child; and
Reporter: through the presentation of information to the court in written form and oral testimony at each hearing in the proceedings to assist the court in determining what is in the child's best interest.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
They say it's never too late to have a happy childhood. We believe it's never too late to help someone else have one. If you wonder what you can do to help Nashville children involved in court cases due to abuse, abandonment or neglect, consider that your cash contributions or commitment of time as a volunteer makes all the difference.
See details of our next training session at What's New at CASA or call us at 615-425-2383 or click on "Contact Us" below for more information.
