Do you know anyone who is a CASA?

[cuddlyevil]

One of my professors in college was a CASA volunteer. She loved it. It was stressful because she dealt with kids who were in not so great situations, but she really felt like she was making a difference in their lives.

[underwaterrhymes]

My mom's best friend is. She loves it.

[screwedup]

I have a friend who does it. She doesn't work and it seems to take ALOT of her time. She loves working with the kids and making a difference in their lives..

[cinnamoncox]

I've worked with a few. I think it is the same thing but here they call it "GAL".

[rachers]

My Mom did for several years a long time ago. It's a great organization - she talks about wanting to get back into it all the time. So sad though, some of the stories.

[cestlavie]

The CASAs I've worked with are generally assigned to child welfare/CPS cases, but I believe this varies by state. It's a great program and can be a very fulfilling experience for the CASA, but also emotionally taxing.

As a point of clarification, and maybe this also varies by state, but a GAL is an attorney that is appointed by the court to advocate for a child's best interest. A CASA is also appointed by the court, but does not need to be an attorney and it is a volunteer program. There is training involved, but it does not require any formal training or education other than what is provided by the local CASA program/agency. I've seen CASA programs run by a department within the court as well as by a nonprofit agency (different states).

*ETA- thanks to EmilieMadison for correcting my misinformation- GALs are not required to be attorneys in every state.

[Deleted]

My aunt did it for a while and is now the director of a center that provides a home for children in crisis in her local community (founded by CASA volunteers).

It's really cool.

[sicilygirl]

I have several friends that are CASA volunteers! I would like to do it, but unfortunately I don't have the flexibility with my work schedule right now. It's definitely time consuming, and you have to be able to juggle changing court dates, etc. Everyone I know who is involved finds it to be very rewarding and worthwhile, but also emotionally taxing.

[bella427]

I was a CASA to the same sibling group for 6 years. Once they were all 18 years old I didn't take a new case; just didn't have time with work and 2 kids. It's time consuming but such important work. I hope to take another case when my own kids are older.

[Bonita]

I have a friend from college that is a CASA, she says it has been a really great experience.

[MixedBerryJam]

Is this post why I'm getting CASA banner ads now? I do have a friend who does it and it takes a lot of time and resources, but she loves it. I've never met the kid, but it sounds like she's made a huge difference in his life. I'm really proud of her.

[cuccaro]

My mom worked for them for a long time when I was young and loved it. It's a great thing to do and im glad you posted this because I will look into it for myself!

[karmasabiotch]

Me

[happyholiday]

My BFF did this several years ago. She said it was emotionally taxing, but very rewarding.

[spunkarella]

ML lurker here, but I am! It's very rewarding but very tough at times. I just finished my first case and I'm taking a short break before being assigned again. cestlavie is pretty spot-on for my county.

[EmilieMadison]

Jul 29, 2014 15:05:10 GMT -5 cinnamoncox said:

I've worked with a few. I think it is the same thing but here they call it "GAL".

Yes, here it is "Guardian ad litem". My friend does this and it's HARD, but she truly enjoys it. She has encouraged me to do it as well and I'm looking into it.

[kaybee85]

My mom was a guardian ad litem before my dad passed away and she needed to go back to work. She really enjoyed it.

[EmilieMadison]

Jul 29, 2014 15:15:35 GMT -5 cestlavie said:

The CASAs I've worked with are generally assigned to child welfare/CPS cases, but I believe this varies by state. It's a great program and can be a very fulfilling experience for the CASA, but also emotionally taxing.

As a point of clarification, and maybe this also varies by state, but a GAL is an attorney that is appointed by the court to advocate for a child's best interest. A CASA is also appointed by the court, but does not need to be an attorney and it is a volunteer program. There is training involved, but it does not require any formal training or education other than what is provided by the local CASA program/agency. I've seen CASA programs run by a department within the court as well as by a nonprofit agency (different states).

GAL in my state are not required to be attorneys, but are appointed by the court to advocate for a child's best interest. They are required to go through training and typically requires a degree in a related field. 

[circa1978]

I've always wanted to go through the training but haven't yet. This post should be my push to follow up on it!

[readyin07]

I have a friend who began the screening a few years ago, but we had a horrible situation where a parent committed a murder-suicide in front of a guardian ad litem (here, they are just regular volunteers not attorneys) and that made her rethink it . I would love to do this, but I don't feel comfortable committing to it less than 150% and I can't do that right now

[cestlavie]

Jul 29, 2014 19:19:26 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

GAL in my state are not required to be attorneys, but are appointed by the court to advocate for a child's best interest. They are required to go through training and typically requires a degree in a related field. 

Thanks for correcting my misinformation- this is interesting! 

[irishbride2]

GAL are in the "in" thing at the school I teach at. Many of our parents are GAL and it is the main group our school supports.