Junior’s House | CASA Volunteer Page

Become a CASA Volunteer

Advocate for abused and neglected children to help ensure that each child has a safe, permanent, loving home.

Contact Karen

What is a CASA?

Every day in this country, 1,900 children become victims of abuse or neglect, and four of them will die. Every day. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children is a network of 933 community-based programs that recruit, train and support citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities. Volunteer advocates—empowered directly by the courts—offer judges the critical information they need to ensure that each child’s rights and needs are being attended to while in foster care. National CASA Volunteers stay with children until they are placed in loving permanent homes. For many abused children, a CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in their lives.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer with Junior’s House is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of an abused or neglected child in court. Our CASA Volunteers are nothing short of everyday heroes!

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Junior’s House and CASA:

The mission of Junior’s House is to train community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children to help ensure a swift and sensitive journey through the court system. CASA believes that every child needs and deserves a safe, permanent, loving home.

Becoming a CASA Volunteer allows you to positively affect the trajectory of the lives of the children that Junior’s House serves. Your help can have lifelong positive effects on children in our community.

Duties and Responsibilities
of CASA Volunteers

Ensure that a child’s best interests are represented at every stage of the cases.
Report any new incidents of child abuse or neglect to the CASA Supervisor and appropriate authorities.
Maintain complete confidentiality regarding information about the child, as well as information regarding other parties involved in the case, unless otherwise instructed by the court.
Conduct an independent investigation which includes reviewing records and interviewing appropriate parties involved in the case, including the child(ren), parents/guardian, relatives, DCS caseworker, GAL/attorneys, teachers, foster parents, and/or any person(s) with relevant information about the child(ren).
Maintain complete records and documentation about the case, including appointments, interviews, and information gathered about the child(ren).
Consult with CASA Volunteer Supervisor as to findings and review the ongoing progress of the case.
Facilitate prompt, thorough review of the case.
Participate in face-to-face contact with the child(ren) at least monthly or more as directed by the Volunteer Supervisor.
Attend all court hearings, foster care reviews, and all other hearings and meetings which pertain to the child(ren).
Submit recommendations concerning the case to the court in a, signed, written report.
Complete and provide accurate and timely forms, including case information and volunteer activity, as required.

Have question about CASA Duties and Responsibilities? Or if you're ready to get started: Contact Karen

Qualifications for Becoming
a CASA Volunteer

Volunteers shall be majority age and successfully complete screening requirements, which include a written application, personal interview, references, criminal background investigation, and 35 hours of pre-service training.
Excellent reading, oral, and written communication skills.
Respects and relates to individuals from various backgrounds and cultures in a caring and sensitive manner.
Exhibits professionalism in appearance and behavior.
Willing to accept training, supervision, and evaluation from CASA staff.

Have question about CASA Qualifications? Or if you're ready to get started: Contact Karen

Steps to Becoming
a CASA Volunteer:

1. Submit your CASA Volunteer application
2. Complete the three-week training course,
one day per week (30 hours)
3. Attend your pre-training interview
4. Undergo a criminal background check
5. Submit three references for reference check
6. Commit to 12 hours of annual evaluation/training
7. Submit the Physical Fitness Form
(completed by your doctor)
8. Be fingerprinted
9. Have a TB skin test
10. Submit a copy of your driver’s license and
auto insurance cards

Contact Karen

CASA Volunteer Training

A CASA Volunteer completes a minimum of 35 hours of initial training, which includes policies and procedures of the CASA Program, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and Juvenile Court; dynamics and human behavior associated with child abuse and neglect; relevant local, state, and federal laws; permanency planning and family prevention; cultural diversity, communication, and interviewing skills; and the roles and responsibilities of a CASA Volunteer.

As part of the training, a CASA Volunteer also observes a court proceeding or a foster case review board meeting. Each CASA Volunteer completes a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training each year following the first year of service.

Contact Karen

CASA Volunteer FAQs

What are the requirements to be a CASA Volunteer?

Must be at least 21 years of age
Must be able to pass a background check and reference check
Attend pre-service training class (30 hours)
Commit to at least one year of service, or the lifespan of the case (whichever comes first)

Can I be a volunteer if I work full-time and/or have children?

Yes! CASA is a great volunteer opportunity that provides for a flexible schedule. For Court and any meeting you cannot get off work for, or when you have childcare issues, the CASA staff will work with you and represent your recommendations.

What are the 2023 Training Dates?

March 28th

More Questions? Contact Karen

“A CASA can change the trajectory of a child’s life for the better. I will never forget the children whose lives were changed for the good by our CASA program.”

— Nancy, CASA Volunteer

Ready to help a child?

For more information about CASA or to become a volunteer,
contact Karen McCulloch using the contact form below.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a CASA Volunteer!
We will get back to you as soon as we can