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120 people are interested
CASA Advocate
ORGANIZATION: CASA of Southwest IA - Council Bluffs
Please visit the new page to apply.
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120 people are interested
CASA volunteers are assigned to an abuse or neglect case by a judge.
Their role is three-fold: 1. Assess: They conduct thorough research on the background of the case, reviewing documents, interviewing everyone involved, including the child.
2. Report: they make reports to the court, recommending what they believe is best for the child and family, and providing the judge with information that will help him/her make an informed decision.
3. Monitor: CASA volunteers can be instrumental in assuring that a child or family receives services, which the court has ordered - things like substance abuse counseling or special education testing.
CASA volunteers may be the only constant the child knows as he/she moves through the labyrinth of the child welfare system. Children who have been abused or neglected in Southwest Iowa are in need of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers to help ensure a child's voice is heard.
The CASA of Southwest IA program is looking for committed, caring adults who can think independently, use good judgment in difficult situations and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Thirty hours of training is required and is held virtually until further notice.
More opportunities with CASA of Southwest IA - Council Bluffs
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About CASA of Southwest IA - Council Bluffs
Location:
Pottawattamie County Courthouse, 227 S. 6th St., Council Bluffs, IA 51501, US
Mission Statement
The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program commissions trained and qualified community advocates to serve as an effective support in court for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, strengthening efforts to ensure that each child is living in a safe, permanent and nurturing home.
Description
Iowa CASA is affiliated with the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Association for Children, which, together with its state and local members, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child in crisis can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive.
In communities all across Iowa, there are children who have experienced abuse or neglect. They need someone to stand up for them ... someone who will be in their corner no matter what.
They have been removed from their homes and put under the supervision of the court system and the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) because their homes aren’t safe, their parents not capable of caring for them due to substance abuse, mental health problems or incarceration.
There were more than 10,500 such children in Iowa in 2020 (8,592 of them referred for supervision by DHS) at a cost of nearly $223 million. More than 550 CASA volunteers served 1,377 children, contributing a value of more than $800,000. But for every one child who’s represented by a CASA, there are six who aren’t.
CASA advocates are ordinary people who care about children. They volunteer their time and talents to help make sure that children who have experienced abuse or neglect aren’t negatively affected by the state system intended to protect them. They are you.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
Pottawattamie County Courthouse227 South 6th StreetCouncil Bluffs, IA 51501
DATE POSTED
April 17, 2024
SKILLS
- Verbal / Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Child Advocacy
- Child Welfare
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Must be at least 19
- Orientation or Training
- 5-10 hours a month; could be more or less depending on the complexity of the case.