Saturday, September 04, 2010

 

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 A CASA Volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interest of a child in the juvenile court system.  These children are victms of abuse and neglect.

 

The training was developed by the National CASA Association and takes approximately 30 hours. The training covers laws concerning children (both federal & state), the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, drug abuse, cultural issues, children's growth and family dynamic and the role of the CASA Volunteer.  Once the training is completed the trainee will be sworn-in by a judge.

 

Any American citizen who is over 21 years of age and has a clean criminal record in the areas of violence, sexual abuse, neglect and abuse of a child.  A criminal history must be run to assure the safety of the children.

Yes, there are both federal and state laws concerning the CASA Programs.  The Oregon State statue, ORS 149A.170, gives the volunteer the right to be a party of the case for any child the volunteer has been assigned. 

 

    Once the Volunteer is a assigned a case their duties include:

      a) Investigate all relevant information about the case;

      b) Advocate for the child, ensuring that all relevant facts are brought before the court;

      c) Facilitate and negotiate to ensure that the court, Department of Human Services, if applicable, and the child's     attorney, if any, fulfill their obligations to the child in a timely fashion, and

       d) Monitor all court orders to ensure compliance and to bring to the court's attention any change in circumstance that may require a modification of the court's order.

 

The role of the volunteer is not as a caseworker, but as an independent resource for the court.  The volunteer is "the Eyes and Ears" of the court and the "Voice for the Child."

 

It is hard to pinpoint the exact time for each case.  When a case is first assigned to a volunteer, depending on the extent of the case, may take as little as 3  or as much as 30 hours per month.  The first 3 months of the case are always the busiest.  Once the intial court hearings are completed the case would take, on an average 3 hours a week, which includes at least a once monthly visit with the child.

 

Many of the current volunteers work full or part-time jobs along with their CASA Voluneer work.  Much of the volunteer work can be done during work-time breaks or at lunch or in the evening by telephone.  The judges are also willing to have the volunteers take part in the hearings by telephone. 

 

If you wish more information or an application, please contact Bobbi or Tammy at 541/881-1676.

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