Become a CASA Volunteer

Utah is famous for its families, but not all children have the loving support of a family. Find out how you can become a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer and improve the life of a child in need.

CASA volunteers are appointed by the Guardian ad Litem attorney to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. The primary responsibilities of a CASA:

· Gather Information: Review documents and records, interview the children, family members and professionals in their lives.

· Document Findings: Provide written reports to the GAL attorney in preparation for all court proceedings.

· Appear in/Attend Court: Advocate for the child’s best interests and provide testimony when necessary.

· Explain What is Going On: Help the child understand the court proceedings. “Be the Glue”: Seek cooperative solutions among individuals and organizations involved in the children’s lives. As one volunteer said: Be the glue that connects the pieces in a complicated child welfare system.

· Recommend Services: Ensure that the children are receiving appropriate services by keeping the guardian informed of any needs currently not being addressed. Bring concerns about the child’s health, education, mental health, etc. to the guardian ad litem’s immediate attention.

· Monitor Case Plans and Court Orders: Assist the Guardian by reporting any deviation from what the court has ordered for the life of the case.

· Keep the Guardian ad Litem Informed: Update the Guardian ad Litem on developments with all participating agencies and family members.

· Visit with the Child: maintain a consistent and regular visiting schedule with the child.

The CASA Program is not a mentoring program. CASA volunteers gather information for the Guardian ad Litem they are working with. During the assignment process clear instruction is given by the Guardian ad Litem to the CASA as to what information the Guardian ad Litem is seeking. It then becomes the responsibility of the CASA to obtain the information and provide it to the Guardian ad Litem. Please visit UtahCASA.org for more information.