I am for the child™A new initiative to fight for the rights of neglected and abused children.

[LOCATION]CASA

INFORMATION MEETING

[Your Name]CASA Program Coordinator

Share your name and how you heard about [Location] CASA

INTRODUCTIONS

1. What is a CASA volunteer?

2. What does it takes to be a CASA volunteer?

3. Is becoming a CASA volunteer right for you?

4. How do you become a CASA volunteer?

5. Your questions

TODAY’S MEETING

HISTORY OF CASA

1977, Judge David Soukup, Seattle, WA.• Appointed by a judge• Given access to all records &

resources• Spends more time with child

http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301303/k.6FB1/About_Us__CASA_for_Children.htm

1987, Alaska CASA began

ALASKA CASA HISTORY

Tribal State

Tribal & State

•Research• Get a clear picture of the case

•Facilitate• Ensure progression towards permanency

•Advocate• Report to the court• Speak to the best interest of the child

•Monitor• Ensure child’s needs are met

WHAT DOES A CASA VOLUNTEER DO?

•A best friend or “Big Brother/Big Sister”

•A babysitter

•A parent advocate

•An attorney (representing what the child wants)

•A social worker/ICWA worker (representing the position of

OCS or the Tribe)

•Responsible for providing transportation to family contact

appointments

•Responsible for supervising family contact between

parents and child

•Required to take the child on outings

WHAT A CASA VOLUNTEER IS NOT

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

Commitment

Objectivity

Perseverance and dedication

Good communication skills

Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality

Confidentiality•CASA volunteers may not share case

information with anyone outside the case (e.g. family, friends, work colleagues)

•CASA volunteers may not introduce their CASA child to spouses, family, friends, etc

Conflict of Interest•CASA volunteers may not be closely related to

the child or the family

•CASA volunteers may not know the child or the family well (either personally or professionally)

CONFIDENTIALITY & CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

•Twice a month contact with child

•Communicate monthly with staff

•Participate in court hearings and other case meetings

•Complete monthly reporting requirements

•Remain an active advocate until case closure

ESSENTIAL ADVOCATE EXPECTATIONS

HOW DO CASA CHILDREN “ENTER THE SYSTEM”?

TRIBAL COURT1. Report of harm filed2. Investigation3. Petition submitted to Tribal Court – CINA case4. Tribal Court Judges order a CASA volunteer be assigned5. CASA program coordinator assigns a CASA volunteer

STATE COURT6. Report of suspected child abuse/neglect7. Investigation 8. State Court intervention – CINA case9. GAL assigned to the case10. CASA volunteer assigned when available

WHY ARE CASA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED?

•High rates of child abuse/neglect in Alaska

•CASA volunteers are assigned to less than 15% of all children in custody

•CASA volunteers improve case outcomes

•Tribal Court – only advocate for child/youth

•State Court – special skill set/GAL out of area

•Every child/youth deserves to have someone who is there ONLY for them and to be a consistent person during their time in care.

•Work with a wide range of people; their backgrounds may not be similar to ours

•Youth may be separated from their culture and communities

•CASA volunteers canoSupport family connectionsoLocate cultural groups/activities/

resourcesoAdvocate to preserve culture

CULTURAL COMPETENCE:WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

•Overrepresentation

oHigh percentage of Alaska Native children and youth in custody

oLimited Alaska Native foster homes

•Youth lose cultural identity

•Indian Child Welfare Act

CULTURAL COMPETENCE:WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

•Do I have the time?

•Can I be objective?

•Is this the way I want to help abused and neglected children?

•How will I handle the information that I learn about my CASA child?

•Am I willing to invest my time, energy, and emotions when I might never know the impact I have made?

IS THE CASA PROGRAM RIGHT FOR ME?

HOW DO I BECOME A CASA VOLUNTEER?

Screening ProcessAttend an information meetingSubmit a written applicationParticipate in a personal interviewUndergo a background check

Personal Reference Check Criminal Background Check Child Protection Check Social Security Verification

Training ProcessComplete CASA core training (30+ hours)Attend at least one court observationSworn in by both tribal & state court judges

•40 hours course (AK CASA & KIT)

Must attend all sessions

Must complete all assigned work

Arrive on time; stay for entire session

Complete at least one court observation

NEXT TRAINING: February 2015

CORE TRAINING

CASA volunteers work to ensure that a child’s time frame is in the forefront to achieving one of the following:

•Return to parent•Adoption•Guardianship•Another permanent planned living

arrangement

PERMANENCY

1. Permanency achieved

2. CASA volunteer says goodbye

3. File returned

4. Case closed!!

5. CASA volunteer matched with a new case…

ENDING A CASE

• Fostering Futures Alaska is an initiative launched by Alaska CASA in 2014, supported by a grant from the National CASA Association.

• The goal is to train and equip CASA volunteers from around the state to work alongside older foster youth to improve outcomes as the youth transition into adulthood.

• Fostering Futures volunteers serve as a mentor in addition to an advocate.

FOSTERING FUTURES ALASKA

1. Complete the screening and training process required to be sworn in as a CASA volunteer.

2. Fill out the one page supplemental application form for Fostering Futures Alaska.

3. Successfully complete the Fostering Futures training course.

4. Get matched with a foster youth (age 14 – 21).

HOW DO I BECOME A FOSTERING FUTURES VOLUNTEER?

Visit the Fostering Futures page on our website:

http://alaskacasa.org/FosteringFuturesAK.aspx

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

QUESTIONS?