What is a court appointed special advocate (CASA)?

A CASA is a trained volunteer and community member who is appointed by a judge to advocate for a foster youth’s best interest in court after the youth has been placed in the dependency court system for having experienced neglect and/or abuse. CASA volunteers work with legal and child welfare professionals, educators, service providers, foster parents and biological parents to ensure the youth's voice is heard. Their advocacy enables judges to make the most well-informed decision for each child in the dependency system and juvenile justice system.

Who can be a CASA volunteer?

No special skills are required to be a CASA, but each CASA must have the desire and commitment to support a youth who has experienced neglect and/or abuse. CASAs must meet eligibility requirements and go through an application and training process to become a CASA.

What Qualifications Does it Take to Be an Advocate?

No special background or education is required to become a CASA volunteer. We encourage people from all professions, cultures, ethnic and educational backgrounds to apply. Once you’ve been accepted into the program, you will receive all necessary training in courtroom procedures, social services, the juvenile justice system, education and other skills necessary to help the CASA youth. You must be:

• At least 21 years old
• Able to speak, read and write English
• Willing to complete necessary background checks, provide references, participate in a one-on-one interview, and pre-swearing in interview.
• Able to complete a 38 hour training
• Available for court appearances, with advance notice.
• Flexible schedule that allows you to participate in weekday meetings or phone calls during regular business.
• Willing to commit to the CASA program for a minimum of 2 years or until your case closes

Do I need to reside in San Francisco to participate in the SFCASA program?

You don’t need to live in San Francisco to participate in our program. However, you must be able to attend court hearings in San Francisco and regularly engage with the youth who are living in the San Francisco Bay Area and sometimes beyond.

Can a couple volunteer together?

We follow a one-to-one model. Therefore, you may both become CASAs but you are unable to work with the same child.

How much time is required as a CASA?

CASA volunteers generally see their youth 2-4 times per month, spending about 12 to 16 hours per month on volunteer responsibilities. Approximately every 6 months, CASAs submit reports to the court and attend a court hearing regarding the youth.

How do I begin?

The first step to becoming a CASA volunteer is to attend a volunteer Info Session! Register a virtual info session here: https://www.sfcasa.org/volunteer

What are the typical activities of a CASA volunteer?

As a CASA, you could spend time on some of the following activities in a typical month:

• Talking with the youth, listening to their experiences and feelings.
• Spending time with the youth, participating in activities they enjoy.
• Talking with the youth’s bio and/or resource parents as well as teachers, social workers and attorneys who work with the youth’s case.
• Working with social services and the youth’s school to address a specific need.
• Communicating regularly with your CASA Case Supervisor to get help and guidance with any issues or questions you encounter while advocating for the youth you serve.

What Exactly Does a CASA Volunteer Do?

As an advocate, you will have several responsibilities. You’ll need to:

• Gather Information: Review documents and records, talk with the youth and learn more about their goals and interests.
• Fulfill administrative and court duties: Provide written reports for court hearings, submit activity logs and quarterly surveys in case database.
• Appear in Court: Advocate for the child’s stated best interests and lift up the youth’s voice and wishes in court.
• Explain What’s Going On: Help the child understand the court proceedings or other activities happening in their lives.
• Be the squeaky wheel: Seek cooperative solutions among individuals and organizations involved in the child’s life. Follow up with stakeholders to keep things moving forward.
• Recommend Services: Ensure that the youth and their family are receiving appropriate services. Advocate for those that are not immediately available. Bring concerns about the child’s health, education and mental health to the appropriate professionals.
• Keep the Court Informed: Update the court on developments with agencies and family members. Ensure that those responsible file appropriate motions on behalf of the child so the court knows about any changes in the child’s situation.

Can I choose the CASA youth that I am matched with?

CASAs work with their supervisor to choose a case that is right for them.

Do I receive training?

Yes. CASAs receive 38 hours of mandatory pre-service training and 12 hours of additional training each year. You will learn about the child welfare system, how to work with youth involved in the system, and other skills necessary to help the CASA youth. CASA training sessions are held 4 times a year.

What if I have questions or need help once I become a CASA?

Each CASA is continuously supported by, and in contact with, one of our Case Supervisors, who are trained professionals with considerable experience in all aspects of youth advocacy.

I don’t have any experience with the dependency system or youth living in foster care. Am I still a good candidate?

Yes! You do not need prior knowledge of the foster care and juvenile justice systems to be a CASA volunteer. We will provide all the training and ongoing support you need.

I have no legal experience and have never been to court or written a court report. Does this mean I’m not qualified to serve as a CASA volunteer?

Absolutely not. No legal or court report writing experience is required. We will provide all the training and ongoing support that you need.

I have no children of my own or any prior experience working with youth. Can I still be an effective CASA volunteer?

Yes! Many of our CASA volunteers do not have children of their own. Others have little or no experience working with children and still make wonderful advocates.

Can I be a CASA volunteer if I used to be a youth in foster care or have personal experience with some of the issues that pertain to child welfare?

Yes! SFCASA honors and values the personal and professional experience of our applicants and volunteers.

I have been approved as a Resource Family but I have no children approved to be living in my home right now. Am I eligible?

You are not eligible at this time, as serving as a Resource Family (formerly called foster/adoptive parent) is a conflict of interest. You are welcome to apply when you are no longer an approved Resource Family.

Can I be a CASA volunteer if I want to adopt or foster a child?

Many people become CASA volunteers because they are interested in eventually becoming a Resource Family (formerly called foster/adoptive parent). However, you may not be a CASA volunteer while you are an approved Resource Family (even if there are no currently approved children living in your home) or while you seek an adoption through San Francisco County, as both are conflicts of interest to CASA service. If you are a former foster parent or your adoption process has closed, you are welcome to apply to the CASA program.

I may get a new job or graduate from school soon. Should I wait to apply?

Possibly. It depends whether your schedule will allow you to make your CASA commitment a priority. SFCASA asks for a 2 year minimum commitment of our volunteers, and the consistency that is provided by a CASA volunteer is incredibly important for the young people we serve. Please call (628) 867-7382 or email jackie@sfcasa.org and we will be happy to discuss your individual situation.

I work full time Monday through Friday and it isn’t easy for me to get away from work. Does this mean I can’t be a CASA volunteer?

Not necessarily! Many of our CASA volunteers work full time. But it is important to have some flexibility in your schedule. As a CASA volunteer you can expect to spend an average of about 12 hours a month working on your case, including time spent on the following activities: visiting with the youth; participating in meetings and court hearings; communicating with professionals, family members, and caregivers; and documenting your visits and advocacy progress in the youth’s electronic file. Many of these activities are self-scheduled, but some do require daytime flexibility. As one example, CASA volunteers participate in monthly coaching/supervisory sessions with their Case Supervisor. These sessions happen during the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM at least once a month.

We ask that CASA volunteers always be present at court hearings and actively attend meetings whenever possible. Hearings (at least every six months) are held during the day, as are most meetings with professionals. In most cases, meetings are scheduled with sufficient advance notice, but you may need to plan for flexing your work time or shifting your schedule by a couple hours (about once a month) to allow for a meeting during typical business hours. We recommend that you discuss this opportunity with your employer. Many employers are very supportive after learning more about the program.

I like to travel. Can I still be a CASA volunteer?

Yes! Unless you will be away frequently and for long durations (one month or more), your vacation or travel plans are not likely to interfere with your advocacy.

Do I need to have a driver license to become a CASA?

No, you do not need to have a driver’s license to become a CASA. However, for volunteers who transport youth, SFCASA requires verification of a valid California driver license and automobile liability coverage, which satisfies the requirements under California law.

What if I don’t have a vehicle?

70% of the youth SFCASA serves are placed outside of San Francisco County. 25% are placed 100 miles away or further and CASAs should be prepared to get to these locations as necessary. Youth in foster care move a lot and CASAs are required to follow the youth through placement changes even if they are placed outside of San Francisco County. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you will need access to reliable transportation and automobile liability coverage or otherwise have a plan for how you will get to different places as part of your advocacy work.

I have a DUI/wet reckless conviction on my record. Will this affect my eligibility??

Eligibility will be determined on a case by case basis. As a CASA volunteer, you will not be able to drive on behalf of the organization or transport the youth until four years have passed since the conviction date as long as you have 1 point or less on your driving record.

What does SFCASA’s background check process consist of?

We thoroughly screen all applicants for the CASA volunteer position for the safety of the children and youth we serve. The process of initial and subsequent background screening includes:

1. Fingerprinting (Live Scan)
2. Personal interview
3. Reference checks
4. Employment Verification
5. Social Security number verification
6. A local security clearance, which requires a valid government Identification (e.g. driver license, passport)
7. Criminal records (including, but not limited to the local court, CA Department of Justice (DOJ),and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI))
8. National Sex Offender Registry
9. Child abuse registries (e.g. Child Abuse Central Index)
10. DMV records
11. Any other investigation that CASA deems appropriate.

All applicants must submit the required information and authorize a release of information related to the above listed background checks. We will not be able to move forward with an application without this information.

After the initial background check, CASAs are responsible for notifying their assigned Case Supervisor of any involvement in any criminal or civil actions in which you are named as a party.

I may have a misdemeanor or felony on my criminal record. Would this make me ineligible?

Criminal history does not necessarily disqualify you from service. Please note: any applicant found to have been convicted of, or having charges pending for a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse or neglect, or related acts that would pose risks to youth or the CASA program’s credibility will not be accepted as a CASA volunteer. In other cases, eligibility will be based on the date and nature of the offense, as well as surrounding circumstances.

Do I need to notify SFCASA if I become involved in a criminal or civil action after the initial background check?

Yes. After the initial background check, CASAs are responsible for notifying their assigned Case Supervisor of any involvement in any criminal or civil actions in which you are named as a party. Please note: any applicant found to have been convicted of, or having charges pending for a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse or neglect, or related acts that would pose risks to youth or the CASA program’s credibility will not be accepted as a CASA volunteer. In other cases, eligibility will be based nature of the offense, as well as surrounding circumstances.

I completed training to be a CASA volunteer/GAL in another county. Will I need to go through training again?

Yes. All volunteers new to SFCASA must complete our entire application process, as program specifics and training requirements may vary from other regions.

I am not computer savvy and don’t use e-mail or the Internet. Will this be a problem?

Maybe. To be a CASA volunteer you will need to be reasonably adept at using a computer. A computer and internet will be needed to complete the application, to undertake the online components of our pre-service training, to document visits and progress on advocacy work monthly in the youth’s electronic case file, to complete court reports, and to communicate by email with professionals and parties to the case during your CASA service. In addition, our newsletter for volunteers is distributed via email—as are invitations to other CASA events!

Can I become a CASA if I am not a US Citizen?

Maybe. Although you are not required to be a US citizen to become a CASA, a social security number is required to conduct the background check.

Do I need to be fluent in English to become a CASA?

Not necessarily, but CASAs must be comfortable communicating, reading and writing in English. That said, we do serve children, youth and families whose first language is not English and multi-lingual CASAs, particularly Spanish speaking, are needed.