Your Step by Step Guide to Becoming a CASA Volunteer

Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA Volunteer, is an impactful way to make a lasting difference in your own life, the life of a child or youth, and in our community as a whole. We invite you to review this guide, attend one of our Informational Sessions, and to consider if becoming a CASA Volunteer is a good fit for you. As many volunteers have found, sharing a handful of hours each week can make a difference that will last a lifetime.

Step 1: Learn About the Role

CASA Volunteers play a vital role in advocating for children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. They are often the only stable and consistent adult with a youth during their time in foster care or the court system, and they ensure that each child’s voice is heard and their best interests are represented. A background in child welfare or the legal system is not required, as we provide engaging and comprehensive training, as well as professional support throughout your time as a volunteer. CASA Volunteers commit to working with their child or youth for at least one year and spend an average of 15-20 hours a month on their case.

Step 2: Attend an Online Informational Session

We offer online Informational Sessions twice a month and share everything you need to know when considering this role, including:

• An overview of our organization and our volunteer programs.
• Our volunteer requirements, roles, and responsibilities.
• Our processes for application, interviewing, screening, training, case selection, and ongoing volunteer support.
• Our advocacy outcomes.
• An opportunity to ask any questions.
• Sign up for an upcoming Informational Session here.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

After participating in our online Informational Session, you will receive a link to our online application and reference list. Once we receive your completed application and hear back from your three references, we will work with you to schedule an online interview and an in person appointment at our office to complete the Diana Screen.

Step 4: Complete an Interview and The Diana Screen

Our interviews are held on Zoom and are conducted in two parts, the first half with an experienced CASA Volunteer and the second part with one of our staff members. They typically last about 90 minutes and in addition to us getting to know you, are an excellent opportunity for you to ask your questions as well.

The Diana Screen is a sexual risk screening tool and is completed by all applicants seeking positions of trust with children and youth. It is administered on a computer in our office and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. We use The Diana Screen as one part of our overall application, interview, and screening process as it is a crucial step in making Child Advocates as safe as possible for children and youth.

Step 5: Complete a Background Check

The safety of the children we serve is our top priority. All volunteers complete Livescan Fingerprinting which provides us with a California criminal background check from the Department of Justice, a federal background check though the FBI, a California Child Abuse Registry check through CACI, and a criminal record check through IntelliCorp or another similar service. In addition, we review DMV records for DUI and Wet Recklesses, as well as patterns of reckless driving, license suspension, or license revocations.

Step 6: Complete Training and a Post-Training In Person Interview

After completing the application, interview, and screening process, you may be invited to participate in our comprehensive Volunteer Initial Training. Training is 40 hours, with 16 classes held live on Zoom and 2 classes held in person, and covers everything you need to begin your role as a CASA Volunteer. A post-training in person interview will be held with staff at our office in Concord and is the final step of our screening and training process. Trainees who successfully complete training will be sworn in as an officer of the court, which is what allows volunteers to be matched with a local child or youth.

Step 7: Select Your Case and Begin Advocating

After training, new CASA Volunteers meet with our Waitlist Coordinator to review the cases on our waitlist and to select the child or youth that they would like to work with. Our Team Leaders, Case Coordinators, and entire Child Advocates staff are here to support you from day one, until your case closes. Children and youth with a CASA Volunteer are more likely to find permanency, complete their education, and receive the services they need. Thank you for considering this important role.

Other Ways to Be Involved

If being a CASA Volunteer is not right for you, we invite you to explore other meaningful ways to be involved with Child Advocates of Contra Costa County. When we all work together, we can ensure that every child and youth in our community gets the support they need and deserve.

Sign up for an Informational Session or Contact Us today.