Are you looking for a deeply meaningful and rewarding service opportunity to impact children in your own community?
The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained volunteer whose role is to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Effingham County Court System.
We are in need of engaged community members, like you, to be a volunteer advocate for our children! Volunteers complete a 30-hour online guided learning from the comfort of home to learn their role and skills needed. You do not have to have any prior experience in child welfare or court systems. We will teach you everything that you need to know. We only ask that you be willing to make a commitment of 5-7 hours a month and stay with your appointed child(ren) until they reach a safe, loving and permanent home.
Learn more and fill out an application here: Volunteer : How To Help : CASA for Children
Questions? Respond Below and a representative will reach out to you!
Qualifications:
Age 21 or older
Possess emotional maturity, stability, and common sense
Be objective and flexible
Exhibit self-assurance and assertiveness
Be able to keep information confidential
Have the ability to interview, observe, listen, and analyze written material
Be able to write clearly and concisely
Have the ability to make decisions and set goals
Be willing to commit to the program for a minimum of 18 months
Ability to submit and pass a background screening and fingerprint process
Have computer and internet access and knowledge
Responsibilities:
1. Gather information about the case
- Interview the child and all relevant parties to the case.
- Review appropriate records and reports – DCFS, schools, health care, etc.
- Participate in case conferences concerning the child
- Observe the child and significant others
2. Report findings to the Court:
- Provide a written report containing factual information
- Provide the Court with as clear a statement as possible to what is in the child’s best
interest. Consider available placement alternatives for the child including, but
not limited to, relatives, foster care, and group homes
- Reports are submitted directly to immediate Supervisor in a timely manner.
3. Ensure representation of child’s best interest:
- Attend all Court proceedings to see that all relevant facts are presented (every 3-6 months)
- Attend appropriate interagency meetings regarding the child
- Attend ACR’s (administrative case review), IEP’s (individual education plan), and any
other meetings regarding the child/ren (annually)
- Continue contact with the child (monthly), family, or others to monitor progress.
4. Complete training:
-Complete 30 hours of virtual pre-service training sessions (done on your own schedule)
- Complete12 hours of in-service training per year (books, movies, podcasts, trainings etc. that are relevant to foster care)
5. Consult with the CASA office:
- Review the case plan and set goals
- Discuss preliminary findings
- Review progress in the case
- Review court report
- Consistent contact with Supervisor
6. Submit volunteer information monthly:
- Log volunteer service hours/contact logs via Optima online platform
- Log in-service hours (continuing education) via Optima online platform
