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72 people are interested
Help Give a Child a Voice in McHenry County
ORGANIZATION: CASA OF MCHENRY COUNTY
This opportunity is provided by VolunteerMatch's partner.
Please visit the new page to apply.
Please visit the new page to apply.
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72 people are interested
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is an everyday citizen, specially trained by CASA of McHenry County, to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care. We advocate in Juvenile Abuse Court for the best interests and safety of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. These amazing volunteers are appointed by the Juvenile Court Judge to children ages birth - 21 years to act as the eyes and ears of the judge and the voice of the child.
An Advocate develops a relationship with the child, gathers information, and facilitates partnerships between key people in the child’s life. These volunteers speak for the child through a court report to ensure the child’s needs are met. The ultimate goal of a CASA is to help ensure every child has a safe, loving, forever home through reunification or adoption.
The role of a CASA is to give a child a voice in court and be the eyes and ears for the judge by providing an accurate picture of the child's wants and needs.
The CASA is expected to:
- visit with the child twice each month, thus developing a caring relationship to be able to assess the child's on-going needs
- explore the child's situation and needs by contacting people in the child's life
- observe parent/child visitations
- submit reports for the court
When sworn in as an officer of the court, a CASA continues to advocate for the best interests of the child for the entire length of the case until permanency is achieved and the case is closed. One of the best gifts a CASA brings is the presence of a consistent, concerned adult in a child's life.
Check out the website for the next info session date! www.CASAMcHenryCounty.org
More opportunities with CASA OF MCHENRY COUNTY
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About CASA OF MCHENRY COUNTY
Location:
382 West Virginia Street, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014, US
Mission Statement
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of McHenry County's mission is to provide well-trained volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in our court system. Volunteers are trained by and receive complete support form the CASA program to help them through each case. Every year, McHenry County receives more than 2,000 reports of child abuse and neglect. Over 600 children then become involved in the child welfare system, many of whom end up in court as victims of abuse and neglect. Professionals working on these cases change regularly, making it difficult for children to build trust. Because CASAs are assigned to only one case at a time, they are able to provide the consistency and individualized attention that is often missing in the life of children who have been abused and neglected. Children with a CASA gain a caring and supportive person who always looks out for their best interests.
Description
Children with a CASA:
- spend less time in foster care, an average of 8 months less.
- are more likely to find a safe, permanent home.
- are more likely to be adopted and half as likely to re-enter foster care.
- receive more help and services while involved in the court system.
CAUSE AREAS
Advocacy & Human Rights,
Children & Youth,
Justice & Legal
WHEN
We'll work with your schedule.
WHERE
Multiple locations Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(42.23333 ,-88.33482 )
DATE POSTED
July 17, 2025
SKILLS
- Child Welfare
- Child Advocacy
- Relationship Building
GOOD FOR
- People 55+
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Must be at least 21
- Orientation or Training
- 40 hour initial training program (partially at home, partially in-person); 10-12 hours per month for a single case; 12 hours annually continuing education
- CASAs are assigned to a case for the entire length of the case which is a minimum of one year and an average of two years. Most contacts can be scheduled around the volunteer's schedule.