CASA Volunteer Requirements
Each potential volunteer must be at least 21 years of age, and must display a level of maturity that enables positive, objective, active involvement with abused and neglected children, families in crisis, and professionals in the system. All CASA volunteers must complete a background screen and interview prior to acceptance in the pre-service training.
The Application Process
Each potential volunteer must complete and submit the Wayne County CASA application. The applicant must sign a release of information for a criminal background records check. A background check will be conducted by screening criminal records through state law enforcement agencies and the Central Registry (child abuse). If the applicant has lived in another state within the past five years, the records in that state will also be checked.
Wayne County CASA program staff will conduct the initial personal interview with each applicant.
The CASA program cannot accept applicants if they have been convicted of, or have charges pending for a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse or neglect, or related acts that would pose risks to children or to the CASA program’s credibility. You must disclose any pending, unresolved, or past history with the law on your volunteer application prior to your background screen. Please note that the final decision regarding acceptance into the program will rest with the Wayne County CASA program staff.
All CASA volunteers must have access to transportation in order to attend visits with their assigned child(ren) and attend meetings and/or court hearings. CASA volunteers must have access to email and Zoom to attend court hearings and meetings that are virtual.
The Training Process
Each accepted volunteer must complete 30 hours of pre-service training by the Wayne County CASA program (including courtroom observation) prior to case assignment. The pre-service training includes classroom instruction on the following: Understanding the CASA volunteer role, child welfare and the court system and court process, implicit bias and cultural competency, communicating as a CASA volunteer, gathering information, and report writing.
As part of the volunteer responsibilities, all CASA volunteers must attend at least 12 hours of additional continuing education training annually.
To learn more about the volunteer process, please contact Betsy Rothrock, Recruitment & Training Manager at betsyrothrock@waynecountycasa.org. For all other inquiries, please contact us at info@waynecountycasa.org.
To support the Wayne County CASA program, please click here.
