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Court-Appointed Special Advocate

The National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association explains the work its members do this way: "A CASA worker is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a juvenile or family court judge to speak for the vest interest of children who are brought before the court. The majority of CASA volunteers' assignments are home placement cases where an abused and neglected child has been removed for protection from the care of his or her parents."

Once appointed by the courts, a CASA volunteer will meet with the child or children, parents, foster parents, institutional care workers - all the people involved in the child's life - gathering information to determine what the appropriate net step for the case would be. Then the volunteer recommends that course of action tot he court. Volunteers gather materials and do research that other individuals and agencies don't have time to do.

Paid CASA staff recruit, train, and support those people who volunteer to act as advocates in the court system for abused and neglected children. Possible staff positions include administrative/clerical workers, volunteer services directors, program directors, and case advocacy supervisors (people who will oversee the work of volunteer advocates working in the courts).

Executive directors are responsible for the overall management of their organization. They supervise volunteer advocates, oversee the administration of programs that provide services to children, raise funds for their organization, and advocate for change in the judicial system at the state, local, and national levels.

Prospects

CASA has grown tremendously since its inception in 1977. There are now 610 programs in the U.S. utilizing the skills of more than 37,000 volunteers, and helping an estimated 25% of the nation's abused and neglected children in their court proceedings. With a growth rate like this, positions do come open on a regular basis. But specific prospects will depend on a prospective worker's experience, and where he or she lives.

Qualifications:

For paid work at a CASA office, a degree in social work, psychology, family law, or business will likely be required. Prospects should also have an understanding of the dynamics at work within a family in crisis, and a minimum of two years of experience in direct service, in a voluntary or paid capacity.

A graduate-level degree and some minimum supervisory or management experience in community service or within the court system will likely be asked of those aspiring to the director's position.

Characteristics

An effective CASA director or staff member should be outgoing, yet be a good listener. They need to have a tough skin, as many times the advocate's position will not be a popular one, and it will be rigorously attacked.

Information Source:

100 Jobs in Social Change. New York: Macmillan, pp. 60-61.