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Volunteer Commitment

Who?

CASA Volunteers are ordinary citizens from all walks of life.  They have a variety of educational and ethnic backgrounds.  No special legal background is required.  Volunteers are selected on objectivity, competence, and commitment.

CASA of Southeast Missouri is looking for committed caring adults (21years or older)...

Requirements:

• Available for 30 hours of pre-service training

• Completion of application process which includes references, background checks, and interviews

• Attendance at 6 monthly volunteer meetings

• Continuing education in-service of 12 hours per year provided by the CASA office

Time Commitment?

Many volunteers hold a full time job.  The time on a case will vary.  Generally, 4 to 6 hours per month is required per case.  With a few exceptions, such as court hearings and family support team meetings, the volunteer may schedule interviews and appointments at times which are most convenient for him/her.

1. Serve at least one child from the time of court appointment until the termination of jurisdiction.

2. Hold the best interest of the child as the paramount concern.

3. Maintain strict confidentiality.

4. Give the time necessary to adequately monitor the case by making ongoing field visits and telephone contacts with all parties involved in the case and by attending Family Support Team meetings, court hearings, and any other case staffing or meetings.

5. Provide the court all information necessary to assure that the child's best interests are adequately represented.  This includes, but is not limited to, preparing written Court Reports prior to court hearings according to CASA guidelines.

6. Document all case contacts and time spent on CASA activities by keeping notes in case notebook and submitting Monthly Activity Sheets to CASA staff.
7. Participate in regularly-scheduled consultations with assigned case manager.
8. Keep CASA case manager informed of any case-related activities and consult with case manager and other professional resources whenever necessary.
9. Inform CASA case manager of current status of case during periods of absence due to illness or emergencies so that coverage will be possible.
10. Route all written correspondence through the CASA staff for approval and forwarding.

11. Return all written correspondence through the CASA case manager for proper storage when jurisdiction is terminated or upon dismissal from the case.

12. Complete a minimum of 12 hours in-service training per year.

13. Attend a minimum of half (6) of each year's monthly volunteer meetings.

14. Return the CASA ID badge to the CASA staff upon completion of involvement with the CASA program.