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16 people are interested
Volunteer Advocate
ORGANIZATION: CASA by the Lakes
Please visit the new page to apply.
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16 people are interested
CASA volunteers are ordinary people who are caring, honest, and committed to doing what is best for a child. No special experience or knowledge is required. All volunteers are trained to understand courtroom procedure, social services, the basics of the juvenile justice system, and the special needs of children who have been abused and neglected. CASA welcomes volunteers from all cultures, professions, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
A CASA Volunteer is a trained community volunteer appointed by a Family Court Judge to speak for the best interests of an abused and/or neglected child. A CASA works as an official part of the judicial proceedings, working alongside attorneys and social workers, making recommendations in the regards to services, placement, visitation, reunification, and permanency.
By handling only one to two cases at a time, the CASA has the time to thoroughly explore the history and circumstances of each assigned case. Volunteers get to know the child by talking with everyone in that child’s life: parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers and others. They use the information they gather to inform the judge and others of the child’s needs and what the best permanent home would be.
The National CASA Association requires volunteers to:
Be at least 21 years old
Successfully complete a screening interview and background checks
Complete an initial training program and yearly ongoing training requirements
Take an oath of confidentiality
Be available for court appearances (with advanced notice)
Commit to the CASA program, dedicating approximately 10 - 15 hours a month, until your first case is closed (a year and a half, on average)
More opportunities with CASA by the Lakes
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About CASA by the Lakes
Location:
407 Poplar Street, Murray, KY 42071, US
Mission Statement
CASA by the Lakes is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization that recruits, trains, and supports quality volunteers whose mission is to advocate for the timely and safe placement of abused and neglected children, speaking for the best interest of children in court, and offering encouragement, stability, and hope during a complex and critical time in the lives of these children.
Description
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are community members just like you, who are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA will be the one constant adult the child knows as they navigate through the court system, providing much needed stability.
Once appointed by the judge, CASAs research the case, review documents, interview people, and make a report to the court regarding what is in the "best interest" of abused and neglected children in terms of services, placement, visitation, reunification and permanency. CASA volunteers monitor the child’s situation to ensure safety and basic needs are being met.
Last year, CASA by the Lakes advocated for 96 children between both Calloway and Marshall County. However, there were many more children that were in the system and were in need of a CASA volunteer. Our goal is to serve every child that comes through the Family Court System in our area and we are in need of more volunteer advocates in order to reach that goal.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
2371 US Hwy 641 NMurray, KY 42071
DATE POSTED
December 29, 2021
SKILLS
- Child Development
- Child Welfare
- Child Advocacy
- People Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Youth Services
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Must be at least 21
- Orientation or Training
- Approximately 10-15 hours a month