CASA for Children of Essex County is an independent, court-authorized nonprofit organization that works through specially trained and supervised volunteers to promote the welfare of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment, by providing a safety net of support, advocacy and mentorship. CASA trains and supervises volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court, to ensure that each child has the opportunity to thrive by receiving needed service and assistance, while helping to move the child towards a safe and permanent home. CASA volunteers conduct independent investigations, review records, gathering information, and talk to everyone involved including social workers, teachers, foster parents, family members and the children themselves. Utilizing this information, CASA advocates make recommendations on the child’s behalf.
CASA volunteers are community members who want to make a difference in the life of a child in foster care by becoming an advocate in court on the child’s behalf.
CASA advocates come from all walks of life and all kinds of educational, ethnic and social backgrounds. Most CASA Advocates work full or part time and no special prior experience is required. Objectivity and good communication skills are essential since a CASA advocate must be able to work with a variety of people from child welfare professionals to birth parents. The amount of time spent working on a case varies depending on the stage of the proceedings. On average, CASA's devote 10 to 15 hours a month to a case. Each advocate is partnered with a CASA Case Supervisor who provides the advocate with guidance and support. Advocates and their Case Supervisors work together, communicating regularly, sharing information in order to develop and determine the next steps to take on the case. A demonstrated sense of responsibility and commitment is important for our volunteers. Advocates agree to commit to at least one year of service with CASA. CASA volunteers are responsible adults, at least 21 years of age, who care deeply about the welfare of children and know that when they take on a case, they take on a child's future.
A written application, personal interview, three references, criminal background check, fingerprinting and 30 hours of training (24 in-class, 6 hours independent) are required to become a CASA advocate. Training topics include: The Law and Child Protection System, The CASA Role, Well being of the Child, Mental health, Poverty, and Substance abuse, Cultural competence, Communication, Report writing. Training sessions are offered 4 to 5 times a year held both as Saturdays/weekday evening classes or weekday daytime classes. Following the completion of training, advocates are sworn in by a Family Court judge. After completing the training sessions, volunteers are able to observe the court hearing process, prior to starting on their case. Post-training, CASA advocates are required to participate in 12 hours of additional training each year. CASA offers a graduate series of seminars and workshops that are offered continuously so that Advocates can meet this requirement.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer advocate and about our upcoming training please visit our website:
http://www.casaessex.org/volunteer
July 2017 Training Class (weekdays/Saturday)
Day of week Date Time
Monday 7/24/17 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday 7/25/17 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday 7/26/17 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday 7/27/17 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Friday 7/28/17 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday 7/29/17 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
September 2017 Training Class (weekday evenings / Saturdays)
Day of week Date Time
Wednesday 9/13/17 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 9/16/17 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Monday 9/18/17 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9/20/17 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 9/23/17 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Monday 9/25/17 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9/27/17 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Monday 10/2/17 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
November 2017 Training Class (weekday mornings / Saturdays)
Day of week Date Time
Monday 10/23/17 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday 10/25/17 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday 10/28/17 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Monday 10/30/17 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday 11/1/17 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saturday 11/4/17 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Monday 11/6/17 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday 11/8/17 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Pre-Service training to become a CASA volunteer consists of 28 hours in class training plus homework required of class participants. You must attend all sessions of a training class to complete the class and be sworn in as an Advocate.
For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, contact Venetta Benjamin at 973-622-4831 or by email at
[email protected].
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