Be a Volunteer

Be a Volunteer

This volunteer has six essential roles to fulfill being a volunteer:

1. Meet with the child once per week for at least an hour
2. Gather information from all interested parties, such as attorneys, social workers, teachers, caregivers, therapists, etc.
3. Keep an eye out for any unmet needs of the child, and advocate for those needs to be met
4. Write a court report to the juvenile court judge for each hearing concerning the child. The report gives the judge the information the advocate has gathered, what the advocate believes to be in the child’s best interests, and what the child would like to have happen
5. Attend all court hearings regarding the child (usually once every six months, sometimes more frequent)
6. Monitor the case by doing all of the above until the child is placed into a safe, permanent, nurturing home

A CASA advocate is a volunteer who is passionate about protecting the best interests of abused and neglected children in his or her community. Anyone with this passion can be successful as a volunteer – regardless if you work full-time, part-time, or not at all; regardless if you do or do not have experience in social services, child development, or the court system; regardless of your gender, race, religion, culture, or economic status. We are willing to train you if you are willing to pursue a child’s case with enthusiasm and persistence. Click here to contact us about becoming an advocate.

A CASA advocate is a volunteer who is passionate about protecting the best interests of abused and neglected children in his or her community. Anyone with this passion can be successful as a volunteer – regardless if you work full-time, part-time, or not at all; regardless if you do or do not have experience in social services, child development, or the court system; regardless of your gender, race, religion, culture, or economic status. We are willing to train you if you are willing to pursue a child’s case with enthusiasm and persistence.

When you become a CASA advocate, you are more than simply a volunteer—you are a sworn officer of the Juvenile Court. With this title, you are given permission to access the child’s records, interview people involved with the child, and present a formal recommendation to the judge. But with this title you are also given certain responsibilities, as well as a CASA case manager who will ensure that you fulfill those responsibilities. Each unique case will have different needs, but overall the CASA program has three main expectations of its advocates: commitment, confidentiality, and communication.

Too many people come in and out of these children’s lives. We want the CASA to be committed to the child and to follow the child’s case until successful closure, if possible. At a minimum, we expect the CASA to stay with a case for a year unless the case closes before that time. Volunteers are required to visit children weekly. On average, CASAs spend between 15 to 20 hours per month on their cases. As an officer of the court, you will have access to sensitive information about the child and his or her family. You must maintain complete confidentiality—it is an issue of privacy, the privacy of an innocent child. Of course you will be able to discuss the case with your CASA case manager because he or she is also sworn to confidentiality. But you must refrain from sharing any identifying details with family members, friends, co-workers, or other community members.

Perhaps the most important skill a CASA advocate needs to learn is effective communication through writing, speaking, and listening. This communication applies to people involved in the child’s case, but also to your CASA case manager. We ask that you maintain regular contact by phone, e-mail, or visits to the office, including a monthly report to track your work. CASA case managers offer valuable support for our advocates. They are experts in the field and can assist in developing strategies, suggest community resources, act as a liaison to other agencies, and help compose court reports. Strong communication with CASA case managers is crucial.

Once you decide that volunteering for CASA of Placer County is a good fit for you, the training process begins. It includes:

• A completed written application, including the names and addresses of three references
• An interview with one of our staff
• Submission of the following documents:
  • An FBI/DOJ background check
  • A DMV driving record printout
  • A copy of your driver’s license
  • A statement of auto liability coverage
  • Participation in our comprehensive training program

Please click here to contact us about starting the process of becoming an advocate for children in Placer County.

Advocate Job Description

Children deserve to be treated as individuals with a right to be heard.  Child Advocates of Placer County has the opportunity to enhance the decision-making process in Juvenile Court through the development of a significant relationship with a child.  The advocate can bring a sense of the individuality of each child into the courtroom by representing that child’s unique needs and desires.

I.    PROGRAM GOALS

1.    To advocate for the rights of a child in the child welfare system.

2.    To serve as the voice of children in Juvenile Court dependency proceedings.

3.    To reduce the trauma to a child going through the Juvenile Court dependency system by providing a long-term, consistent, supportive relationship.

II.    PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
1.    To provide a consistent, objective advocate for a child through the entire judicial process.

2.    To factually and objectively report information and observations to the Juvenile Court.

3.    To advocate for a child’s best interest in all Juvenile Court dependency proceedings.

4.    To follow those cases designated by the Juvenile Court.

5.    To provide mentoring, support and information to a child in the Juvenile Court dependency system, addressing their questions and concerns.

6.    To present a child’s perspective throughout the Juvenile Court dependency proceedings.

III.    JOB RESPONSIBILITES

1.    Gather information regarding a child’s situation and perspective.

• Develop and maintain a friendly, supportive relationship with a child.
• Become familiar with all significant people in a child’s life.  Observe a  child interacting with these people.  Visit each of the child’s placement situations at least once.
• Learn through conversation and activities with the child, the child’s perspective (views, wishes, etc.)  This can be accomplished through contact between the volunteer and the child, with a minimum of two personal visits with the child per month.
• Look into the various areas of the child’s life that effect personal growth, happiness, and well being (e.g. school, home, placement, medical and mental health services, recreation). Review relevant records and reports
• Identify, explore, and advocate for potential resources that will enhance a child’s living situation or facilitate family preservation, early family reunification or alternative permanency planning.

2.    Report findings to the Court:

• Submit to the court, through the Case Manager, written reports containing factual information and recommendations.
• Testify at court hearings concerning the child.
• Participate in court-related conferences concerning the child.

3.    Ensure representation of the child’s best interest:

• Become informed of proceedings (in addition to dependency  proceedings) which affect a child’s interest; for example: delinquency criminal and family court proceedings.
• Attend all court proceedings to see that all relevant facts are presented.
• Attend appropriate inter-agency meetings regarding the child.
• Establish and maintain a coordinated and cooperative sharing of information with the child’s attorney, to ensure that each is fully and accurately informed concerning the child’s situation and desires.
• Encourage public systems to make appropriate and timely interventions and provide full and appropriate services to the child.

4.    Monitor the progress of the child’s case for the purpose of ensuring that the case plan and court orders are implemented consistent with the child’s welfare and best interest.

5.    Attend training & meetings arranged by program staff.

• Attend initial training sessions.
• Attend Case Support/In-Service sessions and training.

6.    Meet the supervision requirements of the program.

• Communicate fully and regularly with the appropriate program staff.
• Participate in the development of an advocacy plan.
• Discuss your preliminary findings with case manager and social worker.
• Regularly review progress in the case.
• Submit written reports in a timely manner.

3.    First report produced at 30 – 45 days after assignment.

4.    Regular updates established with Case Manager.

5.    First court report due 10 days prior to hearing.

6.   Submit monthly time records of all volunteer activities.

7.    Inform Case Manager immediately of potential conflicts of interest, liability issues, and safety concerns.

8.    Participate in evaluations.

• Evaluate quality of your work and accept evaluation by program staff.
• Assess your job satisfaction.
• Evaluate quality of supervision & training.

IV.    QUALIFICATIONS

1.    At least twenty-one years of age.

2.    Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.  Must be computer literate.

3.    Ability to keep all client and court information confidential.

4.    Willingness and commitment to respect and relate to people from various backgrounds and lifestyles (economic, cultural, educational, philosophical, etc.) in a variety of settings.

5.    Ability to transport self to a variety of locations.

6.    Ability to deal positively with hostility, anger, and other strong emotions.

7.    Ability to maintain objectivity.

8.    Ability to gather and accurately record factual information.

9.    Ability to demonstrate sound judgement and have good character.

10.    A basic understanding of child development.

11.    A basic understanding of family relationships.

12.    Ability to work independently as required, as well as the ability to accept supervision and direction as needed.

V.    TRAINING

Advocates in the program are required to attend 35 – 40hours of initial training and observe Juvenile Court proceeding.  Upon completion of the initial training, and after being fully screened and sworn-in by the judge, the advocate is eligible for case assignment.

Twelve (12) hours of required in-service business/training is scheduled each year.  Attendance at all these meetings is expected.  The advocate will also receive direct supervision and guidance from program staff on a regular basis.

VI.    TIME COMMITMENT

Advocates are required to commit themselves to the program for a minimum one year or through the duration of their assigned child’s dependency proceeding.  Advocates are expected to have contact with their child once a week.  The average time involved is five to ten hours per month.  Advocates are expected to be available for case assignment and to accept cases upon request of the Case Manager unless:

1.    The advocate is already active with a case.

2.    A serious conflict in values exists between the advocate and an issue relative to the case.

3.    The advocate has informed the Case Manager of a pre-planned vacation or personal commitment.

4.    The advocate cannot participate due to illness.

5.    The advocate has requested a temporary respite from service.

VII.    TERMINATION

An advocate may be removed from an individual case at any time by order of the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge or a designee.  Child Advocates of Placer County serve at the pleasure of the Juvenile Court Judge, attempting to preserve and protect the best interest of the child.  The Juvenile Court Judge may, unilaterally or with the recommendation of the Executive Director, remove an advocate from the program or from an assignment for any reason when the judge determines such removal is in the best interests of the program or a particular child.  Such determination is not subject to appeal.

Reasons for termination may include, but are not limited to:

1.    Breech of confidentiality.

2.    Incomplete, incorrect, or misleading information provided during application, screening, or performance evaluation processes.

3.    Allegations of child abuse and neglect or other criminal offenses relevant to fitness as an advocate.

4.    Failure to attend the minimum required training sessions and/or advocate meetings.

5.    Failure to exhibit qualifications or perform duties as listed in the Advocate Job Description.

6.    Unethical and/or inappropriate behavior including, but not limited to:

• Verbal and/or physical abuse of clients, public, professionals, staff, or other advocates.
• Exchange of services, goods, or money with clients and/or clients families.
• Sexual contact with parties involved in an assigned case.
• Performing responsibilities of an advocate under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Failure to abide by agency policies and/or procedures.