TITLE: Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
STATUS: Volunteer
REPORTS TO: CASA Manager
Purpose
The position of a CASA is to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children while supporting the Tulsa CASA mission that every child deserves a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.
Key Responsibilities
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding the case
- Making an independent evaluation of what is in the child’s best interest, both immediately and in the long run
- Monitor implementation of case plans and court orders
- Create a court report including observations, concerns, and recommendations
- Attend all court hearings
Training
Each volunteer will receive 30 hours of training. Topics covered include the law, child protection system, and the courts, developing cultural competence, understanding families and children, communication as a CASA, gathering information, and reporting and monitoring. Volunteers are asked to complete 12 hours a year of additional in-service training as well as three hours of court observation.
Time Commitment
We ask that volunteers make a 1 year commitment to their case. CASA volunteers are likely the only consistent and dependable person that child knows. CASA volunteers typically spend 10-15 hours per month working on their case.
Qualifications
- Must be 21 years old
- No felony convictions
- More than 75% of our CASAs work at least part-time, but both working and retired adults are welcome
- Volunteers are not required to have prior experience with the judicial process or child welfare
Support
We have a dedicated and experienced staff to ensure you have the tools needed to be successful. The Manager you are assigned to will answer any questions you have as well as anyone else on the Tulsa CASA staff.
Location
CASAs serve the Tulsa County Judicial District