Volunteer
MADISON COUNTY HAS OVER 1100 ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN. MORE THAN 400 OF THEM ARE WAITING FOR A COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA) TO SERVE AS THEIR TRUSTED GUIDE AND VOICE IN DECISIONS TOWARD A SAFE, PERMANENT HOME. IT ONLY TAKES A FEW HOURS A MONTH TO VOLUNTEER AS A CASA. COMPLETE A NO-OBLIGATION APPLICATION TO SCHEDULE A CONVERSATION TO SEE IF THIS IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU.
Be Somebody. Be a Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
In this special role, you will:
- Receive 32 hours of specialized training.
- Be sworn in by the court.
- Talk to people and agencies and review documents to learn about the child’s life and circumstances.
- Talk to the child at least once a month at your convenience. Many CASAs meet the child at a playground, library, or other safe place to talk or play games. CASA volunteers do not drive the child anywhere and do not buy things for the child.
- Write a brief report about your findings for the court.
- Attend court hearings to present your report and speak on behalf of the child. If you are unable to attend court, a staff person may attend on your behalf.
- The CASA’s role is to develop a relationship with the child, help guide them through the legal process, and advocate for what is in their best interest. You will be trained to do this.
- All CASA volunteers receive ongoing guidance and support from trained, experienced staff.
IN LESS THAN 10 HOURS A MONTH, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S FUTURE
East Central Indiana CASA is seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate in the rewarding
and empowering experience of serving as a CASA volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age
and must pass screening requirements and receive training to serve as a CASA. All applicants are
welcome; African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals and men are especially needed.
Volunteers are asked to commit to a child until the legal proceeding is over and the child is able to go home, is adopted,
or is placed permanently in a safe and stable home.
East Central Indiana CASA recruits and provides thorough training for volunteer advocates (32 classroom hours and 10 additional hours of courtroom observation) to prepare them to investigate cases and to assure that children receive the help they need with navigating the complex child welfare system.
In addition to serving as child advocates, the East Central Indiana CASA also invites volunteers who are interested to assist in other areas, such as outreach, marketing, fundraising, and leadership efforts. With the growing number of children in the court system, more outreach and marketing efforts are needed to recruit and train advocates and to raise funds.
BE SOMEBODY.
BE A CASA.
Want to know more about being a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer? Click Here or call 765-649-7215 for more information.
CASA VOLUNTEER STORIES
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Become a volunteer
There are more children in our county who need an advocate than we have volunteers. I encourage people to give it a try.
Go to the training; see what you think about it. It’s really not hard; it doesn’t take a lot of time, and it’s very rewarding.
Cheryl Bennett, CASA Volunteer