StandardsX-XII

Program ID:

“The CASA program communicates effectively with its community and other agencies about the program.”

A. The CASA program informs the community and service providers about its program and of the needs of the children it serves and cooperates with other agencies to plan for needed programs of service for children.
(Standard X.A)

1. Does the CASA/GAL program conduct an ongoing public information and education program?
2. Does the CASA/GAL program disseminate public information for the purpose of broadening awareness of the needs and problems of the children that it serves?
3. Does the CASA/GAL program make known its role, functions, and capacities to other agencies, community organizations, government bodies, and corporations, as appropriate to its mission?
4. Does the CASA/GAL program work closely with organizations such as local bar associations, other child advocacy programs, community service and civic groups, and businesses to accomplish its purposes?

Briefly describe how the CASA/GAL program works closely with organizations such as local bar associations, other child advocacy programs, community service and civic groups, and businesses to accomplish its purposes?

Comments: Add any clarifying information related to the questions or Indicators of Compliance for Standard X (Optional).

“The CASA program maintains management information and data necessary to plan evaluate its services.”

A. The CASA program collects the information needed to deliver, monitor, and evaluate its services.
(Standard XI.B)

1. Does the CASA/GAL program maintain the following data on children:
i. Demographic information, including age, gender, and ethnicity?
ii. Total number of children served?
iii. Number of new children served?
iv. Number of children whose cases were closed?
2. Does the CASA/GAL program maintain the following data on volunteers:
i. Demographic information, including age, gender, and ethnicity?
ii. Status of volunteers (number assigned to cases, number inactive, number waiting for a case)?
iii. Number of volunteer hours contributed?
iv. Total length of time volunteer is assigned to each case?
3. Does the CASA/GAL program maintain the following other information:
i. Types of cases assigned to volunteers?
ii. Number of children in the court’s jurisdiction needing CASA/GAL volunteers versus number of CASA/GAL volunteers assigned to cases?
iii. Case outcomes?
iv. Special data required by specific funding sources?

B. The CASA program follows written policies and procedures regarding access to, use, and release of information about the children it serves to ensure that children’s confidentiality is maintained at all times.
(Standard XI.C)

1. Do CASA/GAL employees and volunteers respect the child’s right to privacy by maintaining confidentiality? (100% required)
2. Does the CASA/GAL program demonstrate its compliance with all applicable statutory requirements pertaining to confidentiality of client information? (100% required)
3. Does the CASA/GAL program ensure that its policies, procedures, and practices are consistent with applicable laws and regulations?
4. Is access to CASA/GAL program case records limited to individuals and agencies whose access is permitted by statute or the court? (100% required)
5. Are records safely and securely maintained in accordance with statutory requirements or the court’s standards? (100% required)
6. Are there controls to ensure that records can be located at any time?
7. Does the CASA/GAL program have written operational procedures governing the retention, maintenance, and return of case files to the court when the case is closed?
8. Are operational procedures consistent with legal requirements and with program policy on confidential information? (100% required)

C. The CASA program regularly evaluates its effectiveness and efficiency in regard to its stated mission, goals, and objectives.
(Standard XI.D)

1. Does the CASA/GAL program complete an evaluation/program review at least once every four years?
2. Does the program and its governing body disseminate the evaluation/program review findings to funders, the court, and other community agencies?

Comments: Add any clarifying information related to the questions or Indicators of Compliance for Standard XI (Optional).

“The CASA program provides a framework for quality management of its program and services.”

A. The CASA program maintains complete and accurate records for all children served.
(Standard XII.A)

1. Does the CASA/GAL program maintain, for each child served, a case record which includes:
i. Biological or other identifying information?
ii. Background on the nature of the presenting problem or reason for referral by the court?
iii. Court reports and any court orders related to the service being provided?
iv. The service, case, or permanency plan?
2. Are all records for children served kept up to date through:
i. Current contact entries?
ii. Periodic progress notes or summaries?
3. Are the entries made in the case record specific, factual, and pertinent to the nature of the service?
4. Does the CASA/GAL program maintain copies of all volunteer reports, correspondence, and notes from telephone or in-person consultations concerning the case?
5. Does the CASA/GAL program have established procedures for closing the case?
6. Does the CASA/GAL program have established procedures for storage of closed case records?
7. Does the CASA/GAL program require its volunteers to turn in their case records, including all notes and materials, when the case is closed? (100% required)
8. Does the CASA/GAL program have established procedures for the legal and programmatic release of volunteers from closed cases? (100% required)

B. The CASA program has procedures for the acceptance and assignment of cases.
(Standard XII.B)

1. Do the judge and the program administrator determine which cases are to be referred to the CASA/GAL program?
2. Are cases referred to the program without discrimination based on a child’s age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or religion?
3. Are cases accepted by the program without discrimination based on a child’s age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or religion?
4. Are all appointments and assignments made by an appropriate order of the court?
5. Does the CASA/GAL program, in cooperation with the court, retain the right to determine which referred cases it can appropriately serve, within the limits of its resources, capacities, and mission?
6. Does the CASA/GAL program and/or the court notify all parties and agencies involved in the case of the CASA/GAL volunteer’s appointment?
7. Are ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity issues considered in the appointment of volunteers?
8. Are volunteers assigned to cases with consideration given to their experience, understanding, and skills in relation to the specifics of the case?
9. In determining volunteer caseload size, do management and/or supervisory personnel assess:
i. The nature and difficulty of the tasks assigned?
ii. The work and time required to serve each child or to complete each task?
iii. The responsibilities that may be assigned?
10. Does the CASA/GAL program maintain complete case assignment records?

11. Does the CASA/GAL program have an established procedure to allow the immediate reporting either to the court or the appropriate agency of a situation where the volunteer has reason to believe a child is in imminent danger?

Standard X: Public Relations	Page 2
Standard XI: Planning Evaluation	Page 3
Standard XII: Record Keeping	Page 6

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