Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Caroline County is dedicated to the recruitment and training of advocates appointed by the court to serve abused or neglected children within the legal system. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children is a network of nearly 1,000 community-based programs that recruit, train and support citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities. Volunteer advocates—empowered directly by the courts—offer judges the critical information they need to ensure that each child’s rights and needs are being attended to while in foster care. Volunteers stay with children until they are placed in loving permanent homes. For many abused children, a CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in their lives. Do I need to have any special skills or meet any requirements? No special background or education is required to become a CASA volunteer. We encourage people from all cultures and professions, and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds. Once accepted into the program, you will receive all necessary training in courtroom procedures, social services, the juvenile justice system and the special needs of abused and neglected children. Requirements include:
•Be 21 years old
•Be willing to complete necessary background checks, provide references and participate in an interview
•Complete a minimum of 30 hours of pre-service training
•Be available for court appearances, with advance notice
•Be willing to commit to the CASA program until your first case is closed
