At ProKids we train members of the community from all walks of life to advocate for abused and neglected youth, often in foster care. These volunteers are called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). Once you are trained as a CASA, you join a team with a CASA manager and a ProKids attorney to stand up for the child.
As a CASA, you become the expert on the child. Frequent visits mean you know what their home is like and what services or supports they may need to thrive. Sometimes you meet with teachers or therapists, sometimes you observe the child at daycare or other school too. Then you report your findings to the Court so that the best decision can be made about the placement of the child. CASAs can expect to devote about 10 hours a month to their volunteer role.
Not all children who enter the child protective system have a CASA Volunteer (although we are trying to work in that direction!). The ones who do have someone on their side to give them the best chance with the most support.
It is incredibly rewarding work and we hope that you attend a Snapshot information session to learn more. You can find more information at prokids.org.
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About ProKids
Location:
2605 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219, US
Mission Statement
A safe, permanent and nurturing home for every child.
Description
ProKids volunteers, trained and supported by a passionate staff, speak up for abused and neglected children and help them find safe, permanent and nurturing homes. ProKids has been standing up for these children, often in foster care, since 1981. Whether working directly with a child as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, assisting in another capacity, or supporting us financially by making a donation, our children need your help. Each CASA Volunteer is assigned to a foster child, making sure the child is safe, that the child's needs are met, and helping each child move into a safe, permanent, and nurturing home as quickly as possible. And they're successful. A national study shows that children with CASA volunteers spend less time in long-term foster care and move less often. Abuse has stopped for 99 percent of the foster children served by ProKids over the past two decades.
