Exclusions

Persons Excluded From Being Accepted As A CASA:

1. Arrest and/or convictions of the following crimes:
   • Crimes against a child
   • Violent Felonies
   • Sex Crimes

Automatic Exclusion (regardless of time frame) unless applicant can produce a “Finding of Factual Innocence,” as described in Penal Code Section 851.8

1. Undergoing prosecution at the time of application. With the exception of vehicle code infractions.
2. Convicted of a crime within the last five years. With the exception of vehicle code infractions.
3. Motor Vehicle Code violations (using DMV point system):
   • Drivers with any 2 point violation on their current record: and/or
   • Drivers with a total of 3 point violations on their current records.
   • Infractions do not include vehicle code misdemeanors and felonies.
4. Acts punishable as a crime, arrests and/or conviction other than specified above.
5. CPS involvement in family:
   • Parent or child who is or has been an adjudicated dependent or has been placed under informal supervision of any county’s children’s society social services agency.
   • Spouse of significant other of a parent of a child who has been an adjudicated dependent or has been placed under informal supervision of any county’s children’s social services agency.
   • Adult whose acts have been responsible for a child being placed under informal supervision of any county’s children’s social services agency.
6. Inability to meet the qualifications listed in the Volunteer Job Description as follows:
   • At least twenty-one (21) years of age.
   • Ability to keep all client and court information confidential.
   • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
   • Ability to respect and relate to people from various backgrounds and lifestyles in a variety of settings.
   • Ability to transport self to a variety of locations.
   • Ability to deal with hostility, anger, and other emotional attitudes.
   • Ability to maintain objectivity.
   • Ability to gather and accurately gather and record factual information.
   • Ability to demonstrate sound judgement and character.
   • A basic understanding of family relationships.
   • Ability to work independently as required, as well as the ability to accept supervision and direction as needed.
7. Persons paid or reimbursed to perform a role providing services to children and/or their parents within the child welfare and/or juvenile court system.

Note: Some of the above requirements can be waived at the discretion of the Executive Director of CASA

The CASA Program staff may or may not exclude applicants after consideration of factors including but not limited to the following as evidence of good character and rehabilitation:

• The nature of the crime.
• Period of time since the crime was committed and number of offenses.
• Circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime that would demonstrate the unlikelihood of repetition.
• Activities since conviction, including employment or participation in therapy or education, that would indicate changed behavior.
• Granting by the Governor of full and unconditional pardon.
• Character references.
• A certificate of rehabilitation from a superior court.