What is a CASA? A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are ordinary people who care about children. They do not need any legal expertise. They come from all backgrounds. The Elkhart County Juvenile Magistrate appoints a CASA volunteer to a child involved in a neglect or abuse case. The CASA is trained to work with all individuals involved advocating for the best interest of the child. The CASA is also encouraged to develop a relationship with the chld involved. The CASA provides the magistrate with well-rounded, objective information and recommendations. CASA volunteers are a consistent voice for a child who has no voice in court. Who can be a CASA? Anyone who cares about children and families Anyone who has reached the age of 21 Anyone who has no felony convictions Anyone who can be non-partial How are CASA’s trained? CASA training consists of a 21 hour course which is broken down into one night per week for 7 weeks. Topics include court procedures, abuse and neglect information, child development, child advocacy, interviewing procedures, other parties involved in the case. What do CASA’s do? A CASA helps provide stability and permanance for a child who finds themselves in the system. Sometimes a child can be assigned to several different caseworkers but the CASA remains a constant, dependable voice for the child. What does it take to be a CASA? Commitment: Taking on a case can mean taking on a childs future. You will be asked to make a commitment of at least a year although some cases take longer. The amount of time you give to a case will vary depending on the stage of the proceedings. Nationally, CASA volunteers give an average of 88 hours per year. Objectivity: CASA volunteers talk to everyone involoved in a case and remain objective in their recommendations. The CASA must be able to build a relationship with a child while keeping in mind that what is best for the child may not be what the child thinks is best. Good communication skills: CASA volunteers must be able to talk to a wide variety of people from healthcare professionals to school officials to an angry parent. CASA volunteers present written reports to the court, sometimes speaking in the courtroom on behalf of the child’s best interests. Who has a CASA? Every child in Elkhart County involved in the juvenile court system has a CASA. In addition CASA’s can be assigned in divorce and custody cases at the request of the presiding judge. How do CASA’s make a difference? Stability and permanance are the most important factors in allowing a child to develop properly. These things also help a child to grow into a productive, responsible adult.