CASA/GAL Volunteer Advocate for Kids

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Use your voice for a child who needs one.
Volunteer Advocates can make a pivotal difference in the trajectory of a vulnerable child’s life. Our Volunteers receive training, guidance, and ongoing support from Kids’ Voice staff. We have two kinds of child advocate opportunities, CASA and GAL Volunteers. All of our volunteers are matched with a child or sibling group, gather information about the child and their circumstances, and report on that information to the court. Judges rely on the independent, unbiased and common-sense perspective of our volunteers to make informed decisions about the child's best interests and future.

• CASA Volunteer Advocates (Court Appointed Special Advocates) with Kids’ Voice advocate for children in the foster care system in Marion County. When a child is abused or neglected, a judge may decide the court’s ongoing intervention (and the involvement of the Department of Child Services), is required to keep the child safe. Our CASA program is appointed to be "the voice in court" for each of these children. We get to know the child, advocate for their needs, and present their best interests to the judge who is making consequential decisions on the child’s behalf.

• GAL Volunteer Advocates (Guardians ad Litem) with Kids’ Voice advocate for children whose families are involved in especially contentious paternity, divorce, guardianship, and adoption cases in Marion County. As a GAL, you will conduct home visits, investigate the children’s situations, interview family members and other service providers, and write a report with recommendations for the court. You may also appear in court and testify on the children’s behalf.

• EL Volunteer Advocates (Educational Liaison) work to improve educational outcomes for children who need additional social, emotional, and educational support to succeed in school due to trauma and
  other life challenges. Each Kids' Voice GAL/CASA team includes an EL to support the academic success of the children we serve. An EL might be recommended for a child if the school is considering suspension or expulsion, testing for special education services, or the school is not meeting the child's educational needs. The EL develops collaborative relationships with the student, family, school, and providers.