CASA Calling! Will you answer the call and get involved?

“CASA calling.
This is CASA calling.
Central Virginia this is CASA calling.
We need your help.”

The generous support that we get from our Central Virginia community - from people like you - is awe-inspiring. So many folks hear the CASA call and step forward to help improve the lives of the children we serve.

 We get wonderful support in the form of time, money, expertise, experience, and more. That backing comes from both individuals and groups such as businesses, churches, schools, and civic groups. These are all places where we find our volunteer advocates, donors, sponsors, and other supporters.

 Last year we helped a total of 275 children which makes us one of the largest CASA programs in the state. But there were still hundreds of more youngsters that we couldn’t help because of limited resources. So we’re still calling for your help. 

One of the ways we can help you to help us is by answering your questions about how you can say ‘yes’ to the CASA call, particularly as there are different ways of offering support.

 Bottom line - to support the CASA mission you just need to have a heart for children going through tough times. With that in mind, here are some of the most popular questions that would-be supporters ask.

Organizations

 How can my church, club, business, school help CASA?

 There are many ways your business, club, church, or school can partner long-term with                                     CASA of Central Virginia. Here are just a few examples: 

•   Plan an annual fundraising event and make CASA the beneficiary.

•   Become a signature sponsor of one of our fundraising or awareness events.

•   Plan the meals for our volunteer training classes.

•   Donate services - advertising, IT, catering, etc - on an ongoing basis.

 You can get the ball rolling by contacting our office to set up a telephone or online meeting to discuss ideas for a mutually beneficial partnership. We would love to hear your ideas.

What’s involved in being a sponsor?

 There are many different ways to sponsor.  You can sponsor one of our fundraising events such as the Superhero Run, Fore the Kids Charity Golf Tournament, Shoe Sale, or CASA Blanca. You could sponsor a child having advocacy by becoming a monthly donor to CASA.

Individuals

 Can I volunteer without becoming an Advocate?

 Absolutely yes! The help we get from non-advocate volunteers - our behind-the-scenes supporters - is totally invaluable. Here are just some of the ways you can share your time and talents with our program:

 •   Volunteering at one of our fundraising events.

•   Putting a yard sign at your home or business.

•   Hanging CASA posters around town.

•   Inviting CASA staff to present a program to your church or civic group to help us recruit volunteers or request donations.

•   Getting CASA information out in your workplace via e-newsletters, posters, brochures in pay envelopes, etc.

•   Organizing a fundraiser to benefit CASA.

•   Having your church or business provide meals for our volunteers in training.

•   Soliciting sponsorships, silent auction items, and raffle items for our fundraising events.

•   Presenting an in-service training workshop on a topic about which you have professional expertise.

•   Serving on our special event committees.

 We are always open to new ideas and possibilities. Please email us to ask about our current needs for volunteer support.

Volunteer Advocates

 What does an Advocate really do?

 Advocates become the voice of a child, telling their story to the judge in charge of decisions about the child’s welfare. An Advocate’s report is often the first one that a judge will read because it brings together crucial information from all aspects of the child’s life.

 CASA volunteers listen first. Then they act.

 Volunteers get to know the child by talking with everyone in that child's life: parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers, and others. They use the information they gather to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will be the best permanent home for them. The primary responsibilities of a CASA volunteer are to:

•           Gather information: Review documents and records, interview the children, family members, and professionals in their lives.

•           Document findings: Provide written reports at court hearings.

•           Appear in court: Advocate for the child's best interests and provide testimony when necessary.

•           Explain what is going on: Help the child understand the court proceedings.

•           "Be the glue": Seek cooperative solutions among individuals and organizations involved in the children's lives. As one volunteer said: Be the glue that connects the pieces in a complicated child welfare system.

•           Recommend services: Ensure that the children and their families are receiving appropriate services and advocate for those that are not immediately available. Bring concerns about the child's health, education, mental health, etc. to the appropriate professionals.

•           Monitor case plans and court orders: Check to see that plans are being followed and mandated review hearings are being held.

•           Report suspected abuse: CASA volunteers are, per the code of Virginia, mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.

Who can be an Advocate?

 We welcome people from all walks of life. We are simply looking for people who care about children and have common sense. As a volunteer, you will be thoroughly trained and well supported by professional staff to help you through each case. You do not have to be a lawyer or a social worker to be a volunteer. You must pass a background check, participate in a 40+hour pre-service training course and agree to stay with a case until it is closed (a year and a half on average). 

How much time does it take to be a CASA volunteer?

 All volunteers must complete a 40+hour pre-service training. The time commitment to a case varies depending upon the stage of the case. Volunteers sometimes say that there is a greater amount of work at the beginning of the case when they are conducting their initial research. On average, you can expect to spend approximately 3-5 hours a week on a case. We also require volunteers to complete 12 hours of continuing education/in-service training each year. This can be accomplished through CASA-hosted training workshops, books, videos, podcasts, seminars, or conferences.

Do I need to make a long-term commitment to the program?

 We ask that a volunteer commit to serve for one year or the length of their first case (on average about a year and a half). Because the need in our area is high, we hope our volunteers will stay much longer.

What cities and counties do you serve?

 CASA of Central Virginia serves the city of Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell, and Nelson.

If I don’t live or work in this area, can I serve in another area with another CASA program?

 Absolutely! There are 27 CASA programs in Virginia and 955 CASA programs across the United States. Visit the Virginia CASA page or National CASA page to find a program near you.

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:

•   Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Cannot be a party to any case in any J&DR court of the 24th Judicial District (Lynchburg, Campbell, Bedford, Amherst, or Nelson courts). If this conflict exists, you would only be able to serve in Appomattox (part of the 10th Judicial District).
• Have sufficient time to perform the volunteer duties; an average of 3-5 hours per week.
• Commitment of a minimum of one year or the length of your first case.
• Able to respect and relate to individuals from various backgrounds and cultures.
• Good oral/written communication skills, including sufficient computer skills.
• Able to provide own transportation.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and think independently.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships.
• Possess mature judgment, a high degree of responsibility, and professionalism.
• Submit an application with 3 references.
• Participate in phone and in-person interviews.
• Must successfully pass all screening/background checks.
• Must successfully complete the pre-service training program.

What sort of support will I receive:

You will be supported every step of the way. You will be assigned to one of our professional staff members who will attend court with you, review your court reports and provide guidance along the way. You will also have opportunities for continuing education via workshops, online resources provided by our program as well as the National CASA Association, a resource library, local and national Facebook community, and state and national conferences.
 

Top questions asked at information sessions:

Can volunteers drive their CASA child in the car? 

We do allow our volunteers to transport children but it is never required. Some volunteers enjoy taking their CASA child to the park or out for ice cream. Volunteers must get written permission in advance of each outing from the child’s guardian/custodial agency as well as from their CASA supervisor.

Do you feel safe as a CASA?

I have never had anyone answer no to this question.  As a CASA, you are always welcome to ask your Advocate Manager or another professional (DSS, GAL) to accompany you on a visit.

How much time will I spend each week?

3-5 hours is the average. 

Can I do this role with my spouse?

Yes, couples are welcome to advocate together.  A couple can also be partners, siblings, friends, etc.

How many training classes do you do a year?

Three times a year. They are held in the spring, summer, and fall.

Can I miss one of the training sessions?

We prefer you be able to attend all classes, but we do understand you may have to miss one. If you need to miss more than 2, you should consider a different training class.

Do I need a legal or social work background to do this?

No, you just need to attend our pre-service training class that prepares you for this role.

What if I have a conflict of interest?

If you have a custody case/child support case in the 24th judicial district, you can serve in Appomattox and vice versa.

What if I have abuse in my past?  

That does not disqualify you from being a CASA. In fact, past experience is often what drives some of our advocates to volunteer to help other children. It is something our staff will talk to you about during your interview to make sure you are in a healthy place to be able to advocate effectively for someone else.

Can I choose the age range of the kids I work with?

Yes, we want you to be comfortable with the case you take.  Your Advocate Manager will show you the available cases in the locality that you serve in and you can choose the one that you are most comfortable with.

How long does the average case last?

On average, cases last between 11 and 14 months but they can also end earlier or last longer.

How do you choose the area we volunteer in? Do you tell us where the highest need is?

Your case assignment needs to be convenient for you in terms of driving etc so we try to match you with a case that is not too far away.

What happens if I move?

If you’re still in our Central Virginia program area nothing needs to change.

What do other volunteers say about the work?

“Every hour I invest, what I get back is well in excess in terms of impact.”

“It can be tough, but so valuable and rewarding.”

“Don’t be surprised at what form your advocacy takes as you get into it.”

 Are you ready to answer the call? Contact us to get involved.