Become a Mentor: CASA for Lancaster County

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CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Lancaster County recruits, trains and supports community volunteers who advocate on behalf of abused, neglected, truant and ungovernable children in Juvenile Court. CASA volunteers have access to all information about the children and do their own investigation. CASA volunteers get to know the children and the family's situation before writing reports that go directly to the judge. CASA volunteers make recommendations for next steps, needed programs and services as well as evaluations and assessments. CASA volunteers advocate for the children's best interests but also enable the children to have a voice in court. CASA volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and be able to pass a criminal background check and abuse registry check. Thirty hours of pre-service training is required.

CASA volunteers are asked to commit to serving for one year and must complete 30 hours of pre-service training before being assigned to a child/children. CASA volunteers are an outside-the-system, third party who must objectively view the details of a case (or a family's circumstances) and provide recommendations or issues for the court's attention that are in the child's best interests. CASA volunteers are assigned to a Volunteer Coordinator who works with them and can help them navigate the often chaotic child welfare system. CASA volunteers are asked to provide 3 references and must pass a local, state and national criminal background check along with child/adult abuse registry check. CASA volunteers get cases moving through the system, expedite permanency and make sure the children have the services they need to grow and thrive.


Seeking Female Volunteers: Yes

Seeking Male Volunteers: Yes

Minimum Match Commitment (in months): 12 months or longer

Type of Mentoring: One-to-One

Youth Population Served: Adjudicated/court involved

Mentoring Program Goals: Other

Ages of Youth Served: 7 and under, 8-10, 11-14, 15-18