CASA OVERVIEW.  The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program was developed as a volunteer program by the Rhode Island Family Court in 1978 in answer to the need for advocacy for those children who had been abused and/or neglected, and who, through no fault of their own, found themselves involved with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and the Rhode Island Family Court.

Since its inception, CASA has grown from a solely volunteer-based program to a fully-staffed program that includes full-time staff attorney Guardians ad litem and social workers who work in conjunction with the volunteers to provide effective advocacy for the best interest of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children.  CASA tries to insure that these children do not “fall through the cracks” of the system that is put in place to help them.

To learn more about becoming a Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate -  

CASA Volunteer Position Description

CASA Frequently Asked Questions

CASA Training – Content and Schedule

CASA Volunteer Application

Office of Court Appointed Special Advocate 458-3330
Rhode Island Family Court, One Dorrance Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island 02903-3922 

CASA VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION

Court Appointed Special Advocate

Qualifications

·                     Desire to help abused and neglected children maintain stability and
permanency.

·                     Ability to maintain objectivity when gathering information.

·                     Effective communication and writing skills essential for the preparation of Court reports.

·                     Ability to work independently.

·                     Must be 21 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, and a willingness to travel throughout the state on CASA-related business.

Supervisors

·                     Responsible to Staff Attorney and Staff Social Caseworker.

Duties

·                     Gather facts, including review of all records related to an assigned case.

·                     Interview the parties.

·                     Establish and maintain contact with the child, family, foster parents, social workers, attorneys, and other individuals involved in planning for the child when appropriate.

·                     Submit written reports to the Court summarizing relevant information and making specific recommendations in the child’s best interest.

·                     Appear at scheduled Court hearings whenever possible.

·                     Monitor Court orders to ensure compliance by all parties.

Time Commitment

·                     Time necessary to complete duties on an individual case may vary, usually 12-15 hours in the first month following appointment to a case, then 8-10 hours per month thereafter.

·                     Although most scheduling is flexible and arranged by the CASA at his or her convenience, the CASA must be available to confer with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and other professionals involved with the case during workday hours. The CASA should attend daytime Family Court hearings approximately every six months, or arrange to have the Staff Attorney cover the hearing.

CASA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Is CASA?

The Family Court needs concerned citizens to volunteer their time as advocates for the hundreds of abused and neglected children who are removed from their homes each year. The volunteers are called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

What will I do as a CASA?

1. Meet with the child, biological parents, foster parents, social worker, therapists, and other service providers who have information that would help in understanding the family situation.
2. Present to Family Court a written report of findings and recommendations as to how best to help the child, and appear at court hearings to explain and/or elaborate on the report.
3. Remain involved to insure that the child and family receive necessary services.

What are the goals of a CASA?

The paramount goal of CASA is to see that the child’s best interests are served. Among other things this means that the child is placed in a warm, secure and stable living situation; that each child and family receives needed services; that each child’s placement is reviewed regularly.

What type of a child will I encounter as a CASA?

The child can be of any age, from newborn to 18 years; of any race, religion, or socioeconomic background. He or she will be involved with Family Court as a victim of neglect or abuse. The child may be communicative or noncommunicative. Only one characteristic is certain.  The child will need help.

How much of my time will this take?

Generally a CASA will have responsibility for only one family at a time. The amount of time required of an advocate varies from a few to many hours, depending on the child’s situation, usually 10 to 12 hours per month. No one is asked to spend a specified number of hours per day or week on a case, and the time given to the program is at the convenience of the CASA.

How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved with a case?

CASA volunteers are asked to make a commitment to each case they assume,  usually 12 to 18 months.  This is a necessary commitment due to the dynamics of abuse and neglect cases and the need for stability in the lives of child victims.  Often the CASA volunteer remains the only consistent figure for the child throughout the Court’s proceedings.

What training does a CASA volunteer receive?

Each CASA volunteer must complete 30 hours of comprehensive pre-service training.  The curriculum is designed to inform volunteers about courtroom procedures, the dynamics of abuse and neglect, cultural differences, Rhode Island state laws and effective communication techniques.

Who can be a CASA?

Anyone can submit an application to become a CASA. No special background is required. The primary qualifications are concern for children; desire to help; maturity to understand and deal with complex emotional situations; ability to remain objective; dedication to the premise that all children have certain basic rights; a willingness to cooperate with other participants in the system.

How important is the CASA?

Very important. The CASA has a direct and significant impact on the child and family. His or her involvement will help to shape the child’s future. The responsibilities and obligations of a CASA are to be taken very seriously, and should not be accepted lightly.

How can I get more information or volunteer?

For further information, call the program office at Rhode Island Family Court, (401) 458- 3330, e-mail CASA@courts.state.ri.us or write:

Office of Court Appointed Special Advocate
Rhode Island Family Court
J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex
One Dorrance Plaza
Providence, RI 02903