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Our goal is to provide a trained advocate for every abused and neglected child in Sacramento who needs one. [En Español]Volunteer Information
CASA’s children need you to be a child’s voice in court! Become a Special Advocate in your community.
Your local CASA program will tell you: how to learn more; when to apply; how you will be screened to assure this is the right volunteer job for you; how you will be trained for this powerful and important role; and how big a time commitment you will need to make.
Although it varies from CASA program to CASA program, usually being a Special Advocate means devoting about twelve to twenty hours a month for at least a year. The initial training class is between 30 and 40 hours long. Screening includes an application, written references, interviews, and a criminal background check. And it’s worth it… to make a difference in the life of a child.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained volunteer community members who are appointed by a judge to advocate, on a one-to-one basis, for a child who has been removed from home due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
The volunteer gets to know the child and then lets the judge and others in the child welfare system know the child’s perspective and the child’s needs.
To ensure that specific needs are met throughout court proceedings, Sacramento CASA works with volunteers who can provide:
An awareness of –and sensitivity to — each child’s frame of reference, including heritage, culture, ethnicity, religion, family structure, and any existing disability
A confidential, caring, and professional relationship with all parties involved in the case
Clear verbal and written communication skills that facilitate the presentation of the child’s needs to the court
The ability to gather and accurately record factual information regarding the child’s case maintaining objectivity at all times
