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53 people are interested
Advocate for Children in Foster Care as a CASA!
ORGANIZATION: CASA of Kern County
Please visit the new page to apply.
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53 people are interested
The goal of CASA is to protect and ensure each child's right to a safe, permanent home. These children have come into the Juvenile Dependency Court system as the victims of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. Their caretakers have been unable to keep them safe, so social services and the legal systems have entered their lives.
The CASA volunteer is a sworn officer of the court whose job is to provide the juvenile court judge or referee with an independent assessment of the circumstances of the child. The CASA's report is drawn from their evaluation of interviews they conduct with the key parties in the child's life. The CASA makes recommendations for the disposition of the case based on the child's total circumstances. In addition, the CASA attends all court hearings pertaining to the child. With the support of the Program staff, they represent the interest of the child in the proceedings, which are normally scheduled every six months.
A CASA volunteer has many roles:
- To support the child throughout the court proceedings
- To establish a relationship with the child to better understand his or her particular needs and desires
- To communicate the child's needs and explore potential resources which will facilitate early family reunification or alternative permanency planning
- To provide continuous attention to the child's situation to ensure that the court's plans for the child are being implemented
In addition to these responsibilities, the CASA speaks with his/her child weekly, either in person or by telephone. This one-on-one contact promotes a trusting relationship for the child, who often has no other consistent relationships during their period of involvement with the Dependency Court.
More opportunities with CASA of Kern County
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About CASA of Kern County
Location:
1717 Columbus Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305, US
Mission Statement
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kern County speaks for abused and neglected children in the juvenile dependency process. Through the use of highly trained volunteers, the CASA program seeks to provide every child who needs an Advocate with a voice in the court process.
Description
CASA of Kern County is a nonprofit organization that matches caring volunteers with abused, abandoned, or neglected children. Through advocacy volunteers are role models who provide consistency and give the children a voice in court. The unique one-on-one relationship that forms between the volunteer and dependent child is often the only stable, positive relationship the child has. In a sea of social workers, attorneys, therapists and caregivers, it's the court appointed volunteer who is a consistent and caring friend and advocate for the child. Our volunteers and staff are every day heroes who have the passion and commitment to positively influence the lives of these very special kids - one child at a time.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
1717 Columbus StreetBakersfield, CA 93305
DATE POSTED
September 26, 2023
SKILLS
- Youth Services
- Child Welfare
- Advocacy
- Child Development
- Child Advocacy
- Basic Computer Skills
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Must be at least 21
- Orientation or Training
- 10-15 hours a month/18+months
- visit https://kerncasa.org/volunteer