Genesee County CASA for Children
      

A Court Appointed Special Advocate is a volunteer, 21 years of age or older, appointed by the Genesee County Family Court Judge to ensure that the needs of a child, who may have been neglected or abused, are met.  In order to do this, the CASA advocate must look into the current circumstances of the child and the status of the permanency plan, provide written reports identifying concerns to the Judge, facilitate the resolution of the presenting problems, monitor progress towards established goals and advocate for the child.

Qualifications of a CASA for Children Volunteer Advocate:

1. Interest in children, their rights and special needs.
2. Time to devote to training sessions, investigation and follow-up of an assigned case, minimum of a two-year commitment averaging 8-12 hours a month.
3. Ability to work with a child, family members and professionals using tact, concern and basic human relations skills.
4. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing – making verbal and written reports to the Court, to the program director, and to counsel representing all parties to the case.
5. Ability to be approved following a background investigation.
6. Ability to provide at least three references from sources other than relatives.

Requirements of a CASA for Children Volunteer Advocate:

1. Attend basic orientation training sessions, approximately thirty hours in length, including independent study, 3 hours of court observation, and appear before the Genesee County Family Court Judge, upon completion of the training, to be sworn in as a CASA for Children Volunteer Advocate.  The swearing in will include signing an Oath of Confidentiality.
2. Maintain strict confidentiality.
3. Attend at least 6 out of 10 in-service/meetings per year for a minimum total of twelve (12) hours in-service training.
4. Keep the Executive Director informed of all activities and confer with him/her periodically.
5. Maintain complete records about the assigned case, including appointments, interviews, and information gathered about the child and the child’s life circumstances.
6. Be aware of deadlines and timetables involving an assigned case and submit all written reports on time.
7. Complete information requested by staff, which may be required for CASA for Children program evaluation.

Specific Duties of a CASA for Children Volunteer Advocate:

1. Upon assignment to a case: review the file, court and Department of Social Services records, speak to attorneys representing all parties, interview the child, family members, foster family, teacher, doctors, social service caseworkers and other interested parties to determine the facts.  (Some interviews may be by telephone.  By necessity, some interviews must be in person.  In addition, any home suggested as a permanent or temporary placement for the child must be visited.)
2. Work with relevant parties to review the implementation of the permanency plan and to assist as appropriate.
3. Determine if appropriate services, including reasonable efforts, are being provided the child and family.
4. Prepare a written, signed report stating findings and submit this report to the CASA for Children office.  Include identified concerns regarding placement and services which should be conveyed to the Court.
5. Appear in Court as needed.  Continue follow-up contacts and submit supplementary reports.
6. Facilitate a working relationship among all parties.
7. Submit monthly statistical reports, summarizing volunteer activity, by the 10th of the month following the activity.
8. Additional duties as requested by the Executive Director.

 

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