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TRAINING: As a CASA
volunteer, you’ll receive 30 hours of in-depth
training on court procedures and reports, child
development, abuse and neglect, cultural competency,
advocacy, interviewing techniques, HIV and other
public health topics. You will learn from judges,
attorneys, social workers and other professionals
in the field.
LEGAL AUTHORITY: After
you complete the initial training, you’ll
be sworn in as an Officer of the Court. This gives
you the legal authority to conduct research on the
child’s situation and submit reports to the
court. As an Officer of the Court, it will be your
job to ensure that all court orders are followed.
SUPPORT: A
CASA volunteer supervisor or program director
is always available to discuss your case, help
you solve problems and make sure you get any legal
support you need. CASA for Children of DC also
has a system that matches experienced volunteers
with new volunteers.
COMMITMENT: When
you take on a case, you take responsibility for
a child’s future. Some cases are settled
in less than a year, but some last longer. The
amount of time you spend on a case will vary depending
on the stage of the proceedings.
OBJECTIVITY: Your
role as a CASA volunteer is to represent the best
interests of the child. You must be able to talk
to everyone involved in a case and remain objective
in your recommendations.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
A child’s future depends
on your ability to communicate well. As a CASA
volunteer, you’ll need to be able to talk
to a wide variety of people, from healthcare professionals
to school officials to parents. You’ll need
to be able to present written reports to the court
and to speak in the courtroom on behalf of the
child.
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