The Volunteers
Each CASA program or agency professionally trains and carefully screens volunteers to become Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children in juvenile court. These volunteers represent the best interests of the victimized child with the goal of securing a safe, permanent home. Both Federal and State laws allow judges to appoint CASA volunteers to "speak up" for the child's best interests. CASA volunteers do not work for the child's family, the state, or other interested parties. They work for the child. Most CASA volunteers represent only one child, or family of children, at a time. There are rare instances where CASA volunteers are assigned to delinquency or unruly cases when abuse or neglect is a suspected cause of the delinquent or unruly behavior. Primarily, CASA volunteers provide a powerful voice in a child's life* through the juvenile court process.

The Staff
National CASA recommends there be the equivalent of one full-time staff person for every 30 volunteers. Most staff in Tennessee's 24 programs are paid employees. Many staff members were at one time involved as volunteers, steering committee members or board members in a CASA program. Of the 24 programs serving 42Tennessee counties, most are private, non-profit agencies. One program, Hamilton County, is a program of the juvenile court, but its CASAs are still volunteers. New programs often have only one paid part-time program director until the program becomes well established. Older programs in large metropolitan areas may have more than 12 paid staff members; the larger programs also may offer services in addition to the traditional CASA.

A CASA Volunteer’s Duties:

Find the Facts – A CASA volunteer reviews all relevant documents and records including, but not limited to, those of the social services department, police, court, physician and school. Volunteers interview the child, parents, social workers, relatives, school personnel, and others having knowledge of the facts in the situation that are crucial in getting a clear picture of the child’s life.

Determine the Best Interests of the Child - In assessing the best interests of the individual child, CASA volunteers consider many things, including current age and sense of time, level of maturity, culture, and ethnicity, and degree of attachment to family members and siblings. Just as important to a child’s health development are continuity, consistency, identity, and a sense of belonging.