Becoming a CASA/GAL Volunteer

Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian ad litem

When a court must intervene to help a child, someone should be there to tell the child’s story and protect their future.  CASA/GAL volunteers are trained to serve as an informed, independent and objective voice in court for abused and neglected children.  The volunteer focuses on, and advocates for, the child’s best interests and their need for a safe, permanent home.  CASA/GAL volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary work for abused and neglected children.

To become a CASA/GAL Volunteer

	Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age.
	Volunteers must complete a written application with three references.
	Volunteers submit to a screening process including a background check.
	Volunteers complete a minimum of 30 hours of pre-service training.  In addition to this, CASA/GAL volunteers are required to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education a year.
	CASA/GAL volunteers must be COMMITTED.  When a case is taken on, CASA/GAL volunteers are expected to stay with the case until it is resolved.  This may take a year or even longer.  The time spent on each case may vary but usually averages out to about 10 – 15 hours per month.
	Volunteers must be OBJECTIVE.  As a CASA/GAL volunteer, you work to represent the best interests of the child, and that is not always what the child wants.
	Volunteers work as a FACT FINDER, an INTERVIEWER, and an INVESTIGATOR.   Volunteers gather pertinent information relative to the child’s case and report on these finding in court.  Their goal is to gather as much information as possible to help the court make the best decision regarding the child’s future.  They also monitor the case to ensure the child’s needs are being met.
	The CASA/GAL volunteer must possess good COMMUNICATION SKILLS.  Volunteers talk to a wide variety of people and are asked to present written reports to the court and speak in the courtroom on behalf of the child’s best interests.

For more information on becoming a CASA/GAL Volunteer, please contact your

LOCAL PROGRAM or CONTACT US at 1-800-891-6446 or 614-224-2272.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF

AN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILD!

BECOME A CASA/GAL VOLUNTEER!