Please join us for our next CASA Orientation Session to learn more!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

CASA of Pueblo Offices

130 W. Abriendo Avenue

(for driving directions to our offices, please click here.)

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(Not in Pueblo County? Click here to find a CASA Program near you)

WHAT IS A CASA?

A CASA Volunteer is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a juvenile or family court judge/magistrate to speak for the best interest of the children who are brought before the court.

CASA is recognized nationally for its outstanding success. CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens at least 21 years of age. No special or legal background is required. Volunteers are screened and trained very closely and thoroughly for objectivity, competence and commitment.

CASA volunteers undergo a thorough training course conducted by this local CASA program. Volunteers learn about courtroom procedures from the principals in the system – from judges, lawyers, caseworkers, court personnel, and others. CASA volunteers also learn effective advocacy techniques for children, and are educated about specific topics ranging from seminars on child sexual abuse to discussions on early childhood development and adolescent behavior. CASA of Pueblo conducts new volunteer training in February, June, and October each year.

The CASA concept is based on the commitment that every child has the right to a safe, permanent home.

The judge/magistrate appoints a volunteer to the child’s case. The volunteer then becomes an official part of the judicial proceedings, working alongside attorneys and caseworkers as an appointed officer of the court. Unlike attorneys and caseworkers, the CASA volunteer speaks exclusively for the child’s best interests.

By handling one or two cases at a time (compared to a caseworker’s average caseload of 18 to 25 families), the CASA volunteer has the time to explore thoroughly the history of each assigned case. The volunteer talks with the child, parents and family members, neighbors, school officials, doctors, and others involved in the child’s background who might have facts about the case.

The volunteer then reviews all records and documents pertaining to the child. He or she then submits a formal report to the court with information pertaining to the child and family and also provides the court with recommendations about the child’s best interests.

The CASA Volunteer Has Three Roles:

· To serve as a fact-finder for the judge by thoroughly researching the background of each assigned case;

· To speak for the child in the courtroom, representing the child’s best interests; and

· To continue to act as a "watchdog" for the child during the life of the case, ensuring that it is brought to a swift and appropriate conclusion.

Research on Why Becoming a CASA Volunteer is Crucial....

In March 2008, National CASA enlisted TRD Frameworks to conduct a "national focus group" – a series of discussion groups across the U.S. composed of foster care youths – to elicit their personal insights into a number of areas relating to their experiences in foster care.

These young people shared their thoughts and feelings about their foster care experiences, the effect of the system on their motivation and self-esteem, how they manage their schooling, the aging-out process, the impact of an adult presence in their lives, and other topics.

To read the full report about the findings of this qualitative focus study, click here for the PowerPoint slide show.

Click here for VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

IT'S THAT EASY!!!!

You Can See the 2010 Training Schedules HERE