Becoming a CASA Volunteer

Being a CASA GAL can be a life changing experience, not only for the children we serve, but for volunteers ourselves. In accompanying video, Anthony Coy Gonzalez, CASA Volunteer and Ohio 2021 Teacher of the Year, speaks to his experience as a CASA volunteer, including the support he's received from staff, the relationships he's built with a family's support system, and the impact he's made in a young person's life.

Become a Volunteer

The CASA/GAL is to perform actions or functions to protect the best interest of the child including:
 

Investigation

You carry out an objective examination of the situation, including relevant history, environment, relationships, and the needs of the child.



Facilitation

You identify resources and services for the child and facilitate a collaborative relationship between all parties involved in the case, helping to create a situation in which the child's needs can be met.



Advocacy

You speak up for the child by making recommendations regarding the child's best interest in a written court report.



Monitoring

You keep track of whether the orders of the court and the plans of the child protective services agency are carried out, and you report to the court or collaborate with the child protective services agency when any of the parties do not follow those orders and plans.



Commitment to be a CASA/GAL
Many prospective volunteers ask about the time commitment to be a CASA/GAL. People from all walks of life are able to fit CASA into their schedules, including full-time 9-5 professionals and full-time stay-at-home parents!



    • Volunteers typically carry one to two cases at a time. A "case" is a child or sibling group of children who are involved in the system, and usually involves 1 - 4 kids.
    • We estimate that each case takes 10-15 hours of time commitment/ month, with this amount often being higher for the first month or so after new case assignment.
    • A "case" usually can last up to two years (and in some rarer cases, longer...) and we ask for a commitment for at least the life of your first case.
    • Many of the volunteer duties can be scheduled at your own convenience. This includes home visits, note-taking, report-writing, conference with CASA staff, meetings with professionals, and most record review.
    • Court hearings are held during business hours, and the volunteer should have at least enough flexibility in his/her schedule to attend hearings once every two-three months for about a half a day. The good news is that the CASA/GAL volunteer has input into hearing dates and times!

Become a Volunteer




Volunteer with child

A CASA Volunteer:

  1. Must be at least 21 years of age
  2. Must successfully pass a screening process and background check
  3. Receives 45 hours of initial training
  4. Must attend 12 hours of in-service training each year
  5. Serves an average of 10-15 hours per month
  6. Conducts an independent investigation on behalf of each child involved in the case
  7. Consults with CASA staff attorneys regarding each case
  8. Submits contact logs, monthly updates, and court reports to the CASA office
  9. Attends all pertinent hearings, reviews, or meetings for each case
  10. Makes a two-year volunteer commitment