Untitled Document

What is a CASA/ GAL?

What is the role of the CASA/ GAL?

What qualifications are necessary to become a CASA/ GAL?

Is there a "typical" CASA/ GAL volunteer?

What types of children do CASA/ GALs work with?

How does a CASA/ GAL gather information to make recommendations on a child's case?

How does a CASA/ GAL relate to the child he or she represents?

How much time does it require to be a CASA/ GAL?

How many children does a CASA/ GAL work with at a time?

How does a CASA/ GAL differ from a caseworker?

How does a CASA/ GAL volunteer differ from an attorney?

How are CASA/ GAL volunteers trained?

Are there laws that address the work of the CASA/ GAL volunteer?

How effective are CASA programs?

Are there other agencies that provide the same services as CASA?

How many CASA programs are there?

Does the federal government support CASA?

Is there a "typical" CASA/ GAL volunteer?

Q: What is a CASA/ GAL?
A: CASA/ GAL stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate/ Guardian ad litem. A CASA/ GAL is a specially trained volunteer who is appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected, or dependent children in juvenile court. Guardian ad litem is a legal term that means guardian for the purposes of a legal proceeding. (top)

Q: What is the role of the CASA/ GAL?
A: A CASA/ GAL is assigned to work with a child or a sibling group of children who were allegedly abused or neglected. The CASA/ GAL provides a judge or magistrate with a carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child's future. Each case is as unique as the children involved. The CASA/ GAL researches the child's circumstances, determines relevant facts in the child's case, and reports this information to the court. A CASA/ GAL also monitors a case to ensure that services ordered are actually provided and that the court is informed of any new developments. On the basis of the investigation, the CASA/ GAL makes a recommendation on placement and services for the child. The court takes all information into consideration to make short and long term placement orders for the child. The CASA/ GAL's recommendation can influence whether a child will stay or be reunited with his or her biological parents, be placed in foster care, or be available for adoption. The CASA is an independent and objective voice for the child. (top)

Q: What qualifications are necessary to become a CASA/ GAL?
A: A: CASA/ GALs are ordinary citizens from all walks of life. They are unpaid community members who make a commitment to advocate for this special population of children. Though special educational background is not required, those interested in becoming CASA/ GAL volunteers must:

• Be 21 years of age
• Agree to a criminal background check
• Complete at least 30 hours of initial training
• Accumulate 12 hours of continuing education each year
• Have good oral and written communication skills
• Have reliable transportation around the county of service (top)

Q: Is there a "typical" CASA/ GAL volunteer?
A: CASA/ GAL volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. Volunteers are both male and female. Volunteers have both full and part time jobs, or are retired. Because the children served by CASA are diverse in background and need, the program strives to recruit volunteers diverse in skill. (top)

Q: What types of children do CASA/ GALs work with?
A: CASA/ GAL volunteers are primarily appointed to cases involving child abuse, neglect, or dependency. Dependency means a child is without adequate care through no fault of the child's parents. For example, a child who is an orphan would be considered dependent. (top)

Q: How does a CASA/ GAL gather information to make recommendations on a child's case?
A: To prepare recommendations, a CASA/ GAL volunteers talks with the child, parents, family members, caseworkers, school officials, health providers, and others who have direct knowledge of the child's history and life. A CASA/ GAL observes the child in the home of the caregiver, observes interactions between the child and parent, visits the parent's home, and reviews documents and case-related materials (such as school records, medical records, and children services records) pertaining to the child. (top)

Q: How does a CASA/ GAL relate to the child he or she represents?
A: CASA/ GAL volunteers are not service providers, nor are they best friends, mentors, or parent figures to the child. The CASA/ GAL will talk with the child if he or she is old enough to talk. If not, the CASA/ GAL observes the child's interactions with caregivers and parents. CASA/ GAL volunteers offer the child trust, advocacy, and stability during complex legal proceedings. The volunteer explains the events that are happening and the role of the judge, lawyers, and social workers. The CASA/ GAL volunteer also encourages the child to express his or her own opinions and hopes. (top)

Q: How much time does it require to be a CASA/ GAL?
A: Each case is different. When a case is first assigned, a volunteer may spend five to ten hours a week. After this initial period, the volunteer may spend from five to 15 hours per case. Some cases may continue for two years or longer, and volunteers are asked to commit until a case has been closed. (top)

Q: How many children does a CASA/ GAL work with at a time?
A: The number may vary. On average, a CASA/ GAL works with between one and three cases. Each case represents a sibling group, and so could involve from one to four children and up. (top)

Q: How does a CASA/ GAL differ from a caseworker?
A: Caseworkers work for a child and family centered agency that provides protection and care to children in need. Caseworkers are employed by the county to provide services to strengthen family life and enable children to remain safe in their own homes. The CASA/ GAL does not replace the caseworker, but is an independent appointee of the court who represents the best interests of the child and monitors both the actions of the family and the case plan activity. (top)

Q: How does a CASA/ GAL volunteer differ from an attorney?
A: A CASA/ GAL does not provide legal representation, that is the role of an attorney. An attorney advocates for the wishes of the client, while the GAL represents the child's best interests. Individuals who are licensed attorneys may become CASA volunteers by following the program's screening and training procedure. (top)

Q: How are CASA/ GAL volunteers trained?
A: CASA/ GAL volunteers receive thorough trainings. Before becoming a volunteer, each individual must go through between 30 and 40 hours of trainings on courtroom and CASA procedure and requirements, advocacy techniques, and the issues that commonly challenge children and families involved in the juvenile court system. The culmination of the initial training is a swearing-in ceremony by the local juvenile judge. In addition to the initial training, volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of in-service training annually. (top)

Q: Are there laws that address the work of the CASA/ GAL volunteer?
A: Yes. In Ohio, volunteer GALs are given statutory authority to act in their role under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 2151.281. The GAL statute requires the court to appoint a guardian ad litem to specific types of cases. ORC § 2305.38 provides civil immunity (protection) to uncompensated volunteers of non-profit charitable organizations. Case law also exists that addresses the work of the CASA/ GAL volunteer. (top)

Q: How effective are CASA programs?
A: Preliminary findings show that children who are assigned a CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in the court system and less time within the foster care system. Judges observe that children with CASA volunteers also have better chances of finding permanent homes than children without CASAs. (top)

Q: Are there other agencies that provide the same services as CASA?
A: No. There are other agencies that advocate for children, but CASA is the only program where volunteers are actually appointed by the court to advocate for the child's best interests. (top)

Q: How many CASA programs are there?
A: There are currently CASA programs in all 50 states and in 40 counties in Ohio. (top)

Q: Does the federal government support CASA?
A: Yes. CASA is a priority of the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention. The office encourages the establishment of new CASA programs, assists established programs, and provides partial funding for the National CASA Association. (top)