The Pulaski County Court Appointed Special Advocate (‘CASA’) program began operations in 2006. At that time, the program was overseen by La Porte-based Family Advocates. In 2018, the Pulaski County CASA program transitioned to a Court-overseen with all grant funds staying within Pulaski County. In 2022, CASA moved from Pulaski County’s east annex to an office in the Pulaski County Justice Center across the hall from the Pulaski Circuit Courtroom.
What CASA Volunteers Do
CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of children who are involved in Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases in court. They visit the child, get to know them, and ascertain what kind of services they may need. They review documents, talk to other professionals involved in the case, meet with the parents, and meet with the placement (relatives, a family friend, or foster parents, etc.). The volunteer then prepares a summary for the court and makes an independent and objective recommendation to provide fact-based information in order for the court to make best interest decisions.
CASA is a legal party to a case. While an individual volunteer cannot give legal advice, as a legal party CASA often works with attorneys to represent the child’s best interests on an as needed basis. These attorneys do things for the child’s best interests like file motions, attend hearings, question witnesses, and present evidence on behalf of the children served by the CASA.
CASA Screening and Training
Volunteers must pass screening and training requirements. They must
- be at least 21 years of age,
- submit an application with references,
- complete a personal interview,
- pass criminal-background and child-abuse registry screenings,
- complete training based on a nationally recognized curriculum, and
- comply with Code of Ethics requiring confidentiality and professionalism.
Each CASA volunteer receives a minimum of 30 hours of initial training, which includes information about their role, the child-welfare system, the court process, child development, the identification of child abuse and neglect, social issues affecting families, cultural diversity, and other topics related to their work. After the initial training, each CASA is required to complete 12 hours per year of continuous training. Training for CASA community volunteers is provided at the county-program level.
Volunteer Commitment
Often the CASA volunteer may be the only consistent figure and voice in a child’s life while they are in the child-welfare system. The CASA is asked to stay on the child’s case until it is resolved through reunification with the parent, adoption, or other permanent placement in a safe home.
