I was a casa for a year, before moving to a another country. It’s a bit more than just helping at court. You’re making sure the kid isn’t falling through the cracks when everyone else in the system is overwhelmed and overworked. There were services my casa child received only because casa was there to follow up. Everyone else forgot. Let me know if you have any questions.

My wife is a CASA. You don't need to have special qualifications going in. You apply and they will interview you. If you are accepted, there is a bunch of training. They also do ongoing yearly training, but it's not too onerous.

Once you are trained and assigned a case, you'll typically be working under a more experienced CASA who you can go to for help and advice. It's not usually a huge time sink. Visits with your kids every couple of weeks, court hearings, monthly written reports. Emails and phone calls with social workers and the family and the kids' attorney. You can work around appointments. For a long trip you might need your supervisor to help out, which is part of what they are there for.

Some cases can suck up quite a bit of time, but not usually for a protracted duration. It tends to come and go. Ideally, you only work a case for a few months to a year. Rare ones can drag out longer, but with long periods of low activity.

You don't really have to navigate the judicial system; there's an attorney "ad litem" who does that. But you will get training on the applicable laws so you know what you can and can't do.

You will want to set some boundaries, as there are people in the system who will take advantage of you if allowed. Some of the family members can be obnoxious, and some of the social workers are practically useless. Some parents will get pissy with you, and even some social workers. It can be frustrating at times.

If your experience is like my wife's, the kids will love you. And you will have the chance to make an important impact on their lives. Your role is all about what is best for them, not the parents or the court or anyone else. You are the only person who is just looking out for them and is only working with one family at a time (unless a case has gone mostly dormant so you can take on a new one).

Everyone else in the system has too many concurrent cases to give any single one the proper attention. You have virtually no actual power, but for the kids you might be the most important person in the process. You are the one who needs to raise a little hell when a child's needs are not being met. The kids usually seem to understand that you are there just looking out for them.

If you have the disposition for it, it seems to be very fulfilling and important work. I'm very proud of my wife for doing it.

At least, that's how it works in Colorado. Other states might do things a bit differently.

Not really, the biggest qualifier is a willingness to learn and be present for these kids. My understanding is that the CASA is used primarily on court days, foster parents manage the child's appointments, and transportation.

Not necessarily but it is a time and emotional commitment. It’s also a very welcoming and helpful program. You should reach out to the local branch and they can help you navigate expectations to see if it’s a good fit for you.

My sister does CASA and she has definitely had to cut a lot of family vacations short in order to show up for court dates. She also seems to write a lot of reports. But that's because it's a pretty important role -- her feedback informs decisions about whether to return kids to biological parents or allow them to be adopted into permanent new homes.

You don’t have to put your life on hold. I’ve worked in the CPS field for the last 3 years. Most of the CASAs I have seen are usually retired/older and enjoy helping the kids out, but I’ve known some other CASAs including my buddies wife who still have a job and do it on the side. Sure, you might have to take off work to attend court once every couple months, but a lot of it can be done on the side of your current job/life through weekends, evenings, or whenever.

I don’t think you need any specific experience either, as CASA advocates are volunteers. There is a shortage of advocates in my area, and I know CASA would love to have more people.

I just finished my CASA training! They teach you what you need to know and you'll have a supervisor and lots of help getting started. And the lady who trained us specifically said NOT to put your life on hold, and I had to sign a paper saying I would not be allowed more than one case unless I was able to prove I could handle it. The beginning of a case is a little hectic - there's several court dates you're asked to be at - but after that your only commitment is to visit with the child at least once a month and file a report on their needs.

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