Become A C.A.S.A.
What is C.A.S.A.?
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA Volunteers are
ordinary people doing
extraordinary things for abused children. CASA of Southeast Texas, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving Jefferson County since 1992. CASA was started in Seattle, Washington in 1977 by a judge to make sure that abused and neglected children did not suffer further in an overburdened and complex child welfare system.
You do not have to be a lawyer or social worker to become a CASA volunteer. These abused children simply need dedicated and devoted men and women willing to advocate for their best interests. Being a CASA volunteer requires no specialized degrees or legal experience. It does require special people age 21 or over who have:
- A concern for children,
- A genuine desire to help,
- The ability to remain objective,
- The maturity to deal with emotional situations,
- The commitment to complete a 33 hour training course,
- Willingness to submit to background checks,
- Sensitivity to people who are different from themselves,
- Access to transportation and a flexible schedule, and
- A willingness to devote at least one year to a child's case.
As a CASA volunteer, you will be given support guidance, tools, and training from professionals in the field to help you understand and work effectively within the child welfare system. You will develop communication techniques and cultural competency skills, and receive relevant child development training.
Once you are sworn in as a child advocate by a judge, you will be given constant support and guidance by professional staff as you search for information on what is in the child's best interest. You will get to know your CASA child and visit them regularly. You will review their case, gather new data and become familiar with the child's background. Then you will develop a report that is shared in the courtroom. Your recommendations will be considered by the judge when making decisions regarding the child.
As a child advocate, the CASA volunteer has four main responsibilities:
- to be a friend and a constant in your CASA child's life,
- to serve as a fact-finder for the judge by thoroughly researching the background of each assigned case,
- to speak for your child's best interest in the courtroom
- to advocate for the child during the life of the case, to ensure that it is brought to a swift and appropriate conclusion.
If you would like to become a CASA advocate please complete and submit the following required information or click on the link to our volunteer application:
View, print and mail the completed and signed Volunteer Application and Background Check Form to:
CASA of Southeast Texas
2449 Calder Ave.
Beaumont, TX 77702