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Flexible Schedule
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Batavia, NY 14020
Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children is seeking a diverse group of volunteers to assist in advocating for the most vulnerable children in our community, the abused and neglected. Are you passionate about helping children? Do you wish to make a difference in the life of a child who needs it most? Then volunteering at CASA may be the perfect fit for you. WHAT IS CASA? Genesee County CASA is a private, non-profit organzation whose purpose is to train and supervise a diverse group of volunteers to advocate for children who have been abused and/or neglected. These children are at risk of being removed from their homes or have already been placed into the foster care system. CASA's goal is to ensure that all of these children have safe and permanent homes as quickly as possible. WHAT DOES A CASA DO? Once a volunteer has received thorough training and has been sworn in by our local Family Court Judge, they are assigned to their very own case. The CASA meets and talks to parents, foster parents, teachers, principals, social workers, counselors, case workers, the child's attorney, medical professionals and anyone else who may have relevant information on the well-being of the child(ren). The CASA then gathers all factual information and writes a report to the court approximately every 60 days which is seen by all parties involved in the case, including the Judge. With more information in hand, the Judge can make the best informed decision as possible as to what should happen next in the lives of the children involved. HOW DOES A CASA BECOME INVOLVED ON A CASE? The only way a CASA can become involved in a case is through assignment by The Honorable Judge Adams, our local Family Court Judge. At times, attorneys for the children have been known to also request a CASA be assigned to their case. WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT? Volunteers are expected to commit to at least one year to the CASA program and on average dedicate 10 hours per month to the duties on their case assignments (i.e, making phone calls/e-mails, home visits, documenting notes and writing court reports). The amount of time that a case can remain open varies and can range anywhere from 6 months to a few years. WHAT IS THE PROCESS? Volunteers must first fill out and either e-mail or mail in a copy of their application to the CASA office. The CASA director will then be in touch with you shortly to make an appointment for an informal interview. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions and determine if this volunteer opportunity is right for you. Background checks are completed as well as a State Central Registry Check to screen for any indicated CPS reports. Following the successfully completed checks you will be provided an independent training work book which can be completed at your own pace. This workbook counts for 30 hours of training. Upon completion of the workbook you will be asked to then commit to 10 hours of court observation within Genesee County Family Court. Once all training has been accomplished you will then meet with the Family Court Judge to be sworn in as an official advocate of the court.
Date Posted: Oct 24, 2023
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Flexible Schedule
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Batavia, NY 14020
Requirements of a CASA volunteer: 1. Complete National CASA training curriculum, approximately 30 hours in length, followed by Court observations. 2. Be sworn in by an Officer of the Court. 3. Maintain strict confidentiality and objectivity according to the sworn oath. 4. Attend a minimum of twelve hours of in-service training sessions annually. 5. Complete an intensive independent review of each case. 6. Keep CASA staff regularly informed of all case-related activities. 7. Maintain an up to date, detailed and complete file on each case assigned, including dates of court appearances and visits with the children. 8. Be aware of deadlines, Court appearances and timetables involving an assigned case; and turn in all reports in a timely manner. 9. Complete information requested by staff that may be required for CASA program record keeping and evaluation, including monthly volunteer activity records. 10. Return the case file and all documents to CASA staff upon completion of the case. Specific Duties of a CASA volunteer: 1. Research - Complete an intensive, independent review of each case through personal interviews and review of all pertinent records, documents and reports. a) Upon assignment to a case, interview the child, family members foster family, teachers, doctors, therapists, social service workers and other interested parties to gather facts. b) Research potential alternatives available for the child including relatives, foster placement, etc. c) Work with relevant parties to ensure that a permanency plan for the child is developed and implemented in a timely manner. d) Visit with the child on a monthly basis at a minimum. 2. Assist - ensure that all relevant facts known to CASA are before the Court through written or verbal reports. a) Prepare a written report stating facts and concerns and submit the report to CASA staff no less than eight days prior to the Court appearances. b) Appear in Court as needed for proceedings and hearings. 3. Facilitate - assist the Court, social services and legal counsel in fulfilling their obligations to the child in a timely manner. a) Assist in the determination and implementation of any plan prescribed by the court, including permanency plans. b) Assist in determining whether appropriate services, including reasonable efforts are being provided in a timely manner. 4. Monitor - progress toward goals prescribed by the Court by continued contacts with the child, family and all relevant parties.
Date Posted: Oct 24, 2023
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Flexible Schedule
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Batavia, NY 14020
Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children is a private, non-profit organzation whose purpose is to train and supervise a diverse group of volunteers to advocate for children who have been abused and/or neglected. These children are at risk of being removed from their homes or have already been placed into the foster care system. CASA's goal is to ensure that all of these children have safe and permanent homes as quickly as possible. Are you passionate about helping children? Do you wish to make a difference in the life of a child who needs it most? Then volunteering at CASA may be the perfect fit for you. What Does CASA Do? Once a volunteer has received their training and been sworn in by our local Family Court Judge, they are assigned to their very own case. The CASA meets and talks to parents, foster parents, teachers, principals, social workers, counselors, case workers, the child's attorney, medical professionals and anyone else who may have relevant information on the well-being of the child(ren). The CASA then gathers all factual information and writes a report to the court approximately every 60 days which is seen by all parties involved in the case, including the Judge. With more information in hand, the Judge can make the best informed decision as possible as to what should happen next in the lives of the children involved. How Do I Become a CASA? Volunteers must first fill out and either e-mail or mail in a copy of their application to the CASA office. The CASA director will then be in touch with you shortly to make an appointment for an informal interview. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions and determine if this volunteer opportunity is right for you. Background checks are completed as well as a State Central Registry Check to screen for any indicated CPS reports. Following the successfully completed checks you will be provided an independent training work book which can be completed at your own pace. This workbook counts for 30 hours of training. Upon completion of the workbook you will be asked to then commit to 10 hours of court observation within Genesee County Family Court. Once all training has been accomplished you will then meet with the Family Court Judge to be sworn in as an official advocate of the court.
Date Posted: Oct 24, 2023
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Flexible Schedule
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Batavia, NY 14020
Genesee County CASA for Children is a non-profit organization that advocates for abused and neglected children in our community. By becoming a volunteer advocate, you would be giving a child a powerful voice during what can be daunting court proceedings in Family Court. A CASA advocate monitors court orders, maintains a relationship with the child or children invovled, makes reports and reccomendations to the court about safe, permanent placement of the child or chidlren, attends court proceedings, and gathers all case information to be reported back the the family court. On average, after training, an advocate spends between 8 and 10 hours a month on their assigned case. It has been shown that chidlren who have a CASA are more likely to be in safe, permanent homes, and have better opportunities for success later in life. If you think CASA might be the organization that you would fit into, please don't hesitate. Their are hundreds of children right here in Genesee County that are in need of a CASA. Please visit our website at www.geneseecountycasa.org for more information on how to become a volunteer or supporter of CASA.
Date Posted: Oct 24, 2023
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Flexible Schedule
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Batavia, NY 14020
By becoming a CASA volunteer, you are advocating for the best interests of that child or children on your case assignment. Advocates make at least one home visit per month to the child's foster home or home of origin and make contact with teachers, doctors, counselors, etc. to give a clear picture on the child's overall well-being in family court.
Date Posted: Oct 24, 2023
