VOLUNTEERING WITH CASA
CASA volunteers are everyday people – teachers, business people, retirees, stay-at-home moms, and grandparents – who are committed to making a difference for children who might otherwise slip through the cracks in an overburdened foster care system. They are appointed by judges to guide one child or one set of siblings through the system to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. CASA volunteers research case records and speak to each person involved in a child’s life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and social workers. They monitor the progress of the child and family throughout the case and advocate for the child’s current and future needs in court, in school, and in agency meetings. Their independent evaluations allow the court to make better informed decisions.
Because CASAs serve on one case at a time, they truly get to know the child and can give each case the sustained, personal attention it deserves.
We invite you to join our family of volunteers and make a difference in a child’s life – and your own.
Qualifications
A CASA Volunteer must:
- Be 21 years of age or older.
- Successfully pass screening and background check requirements.
- Successfully complete initial training provided by the CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties program.
(40+ hours of initial training plus 3 hours of courtroom observation & 12 hours of continuing education) - Be able to make a 12 to 18-month minimum commitment to a case.
(An average of 10-15 hours per month) - Be able to keep information confidential and work within established program guidelines.
VIEW TRAINING SCHEDULE
Click here to view dates for our upcoming training courses.
Get Started!
Take the first steps toward becoming a CASA Advocate by attending a “CASA 101”. In this one hour session, we’ll share in depth about the unique opportunity of becoming a CASA advocate. We’ll also share briefly about other ways to be involved with CASA, including board membership, and other committee/community involvement opportunities.
Upcoming CASA 101’s are scheduled as follows:
- Monday, September 15th – 5:30pm (at the CASA Office)
- Thursday, October 9th – 12:00pm (via Zoom)
- Tuesday, October 28th – 5:30pm (at the CASA Office)
- Tuesday, November 18th – 4:15pm (via Zoom)
- Tuesday, December 9th – 4:00pm (at the CASA Office)
To RSVP or to receive direct updates about upcoming sessions, please email information@casaofwalkercounty.org.
Ready to apply?
You’ve attended an information session and you’re ready to dive in? Take that leap by completing the volunteer application linked below (the application is exclusively for those interested in becoming a CASA Advocate):
Apply Online** HERE
**Please allow 20-30 minutes to complete the online application, as you must complete it in one session. We suggest that before you begin the application, gather contact information (phone, email, mailing address) for 3 non-relative references that you’ve known for at least two years.
**Applications are always accepted. However, CASA will not initiate the application process until after attendance at one of the required information sessions.
EMPLOYMENT WITH CASA
Click HERE to view CASA’s employment and internship opportunities