Requirements

CASA Volunteers must:09_CASA_445_HI

  • Be 21 years or older.
  • Possess a valid California drivers license and insurance (if planning to transport a child by car).

Advocates can not be currently providing other services to children in the foster care/dependency system.

A CASA Volunteer must be able to: 

  • Commit at least 18 months to the program and your youth – it is typical to spend anywhere from three months to 2 years on a case, depending on the circumstances.
  • Be consistent in communicating and meeting with your youth.
  • Use concern, tact, and basic human relations skills when working with your youth, family members and professionals.
  • Communicate clearly both verbally and in-writing to the court and others as needed.
  • Respect and relate to people from various economic, cultural and educational backgrounds in a variety of settings.
  • Gather and accurately record factual information regarding your youth’s case and to maintain OBJECTIVITY at all times.
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding your youth at all times.
  • Speak another language is desirable, but not necessary.

Advocates will be trained and screened as follows:

  • A one-hour orientation
  • Criminal history clearance
  • An interview process
  • 30-35 hours of in-classroom training covering:
    • A Juvenile Dependency Court observation
    • Advocacy and the Law
    • Awareness
    • Court Process/Monthly and Court Reports
    • Sexual Abuse and the Developing Child
    • Learning/Behavior Disorders
    • Substance Abuse
    • The Social Worker’s Role
    • Cultural Awareness
    • The Role of the Attorney
    • Mock Case Assignment
    • Survival as an Advocate

Blended trainings last for about 6 weeks and consist of both in-class time, 1 night per week, as well as online training modules.

Diversification Policy:

In order for CASA Sacramento to represent the best interests of youth in the juvenile court proceedings, CASA Volunteers must be cognizant of, and sensitive to, the child’s frame of reference, including his/her heritage, culture, ethnicity, religion, family structure and/or disability. Advocates must also be able to communicate, with sensitivity, the child’s needs to the court. Because we live in a multicultural society, a CASA program must be multicultural. Therefore, CASA Sacramento will strive to achieve an advocate base that reflects the diversity of the children in the judicial and county child welfare systems as well as in the Sacramento community. Advocate services will be made accessible to all individuals regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic situation, or disability. Cultural awareness and competency will be an integral component of all training for board members, staff and advocates. CASA Sacramento will strive to achieve as broad a diversity and inclusiveness as possible in its board, staff and volunteer composition, as well as its activities, outreach and publications.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

CASA Sacramento is an equal employment opportunity employer and strives to comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, medical condition, family care status, sexual orientation, sexual identification, as well as any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful and all persons involved in the operations of CASA Sacramento are prohibited from engaging in this type of conduct.

In accordance with applicable federal and state law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, CASA Sacramento will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship on CASA Sacramento. Any qualified applicant or Employee with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should contact the Executive Director and request an accommodation.