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CASA of NELA trains community volunteers to speak up for abused or neglected children in their communities. CASA of NELA is a member of Louisiana CASA and the National CASA Association, which provides policies and procedures for the organization and regulates the intensive training each volunteer undergoes. The training program, which requires thirty training hours and court observation, has been used across the country, in 900+ CASA programs. Volunteers have a pre-service interview, undergo a criminal background screening and receive 30 hours of pre-service training before being sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates. Volunteers also receive 12 hours continuing education annually.
The procedure for assigning a CASA volunteer is consistent across the state. When a child is removed from his or her home by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and placed in a foster home or with relatives, the presiding judge appoints a CASA volunteer to serve as the child's CASA Advocate throughout the child's stay in the foster care system. District judges bear an enormous responsibility in deciding what is best to facilitate a child's growth. CASA Volunteers can provide judges with the information they need to make the best possible decision for that child. With no allegiance to any particular agency, oblivious to caseloads, financial constraints, a CASA Volunteer can provide quality advocacy for a child. A CASA Volunteer will bring continuity to cases and facilitate necessary services for timely, safe, permanent placement for the child.