Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer

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A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteer is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of an abused or neglected child in court.

A CASA volunteer provides a judge with a carefully researched background of the child to help the court make sound decisions about the child’s future. Each case is as unique as the child or children involved. The CASA volunteer must determine if it is in a child’s best interest to stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster or relative care, or be freed for permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer recommends placement and services to the judge so that every child can have a safe, permanent home and the opportunity to thrive.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. Diversity is valued and provides a foundation of strength to our program. The Lucas County CASA program is composed of volunteers of all genders over 21 years of age who may be employed full-time or part-time, be retired, be a volunteer attorney, or be a homemaker. No special or legal background is required. However, volunteers are screened closely for objectivity, competence, and commitment.

The next in-person CASA/GAL volunteer training class will begin on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 and it ends with the Swearing-In Ceremony on Friday, July 26, 2024. You are required to attend all of the dates listed below:

Tuesday, 06/18/24, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, 06/25/24, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, 07/02/24, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, 07/09/24, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, 07/16/24, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, 07/23/24, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, 07/26/24, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Swearing-In Ceremony)

The application deadline is Monday, May 28, 2024. We would like to encourage you to apply now at CASAkids.net because the extensive background checks are time-consuming.

Additionally, once you have been interviewed and accepted into the class, you will need time to observe the required court proceedings before the first training day. All pre-training dates are required.