Judicial Branch of Arizona - County of Mohave

Make a Difference in a Child's Life.. Be a Court Appointed Special Advocate
LOGO

Court Appointed Special Advocates are citizens making significant contributions to the community by becoming actively involved in protecting the rights of abused, neglected and abandoned children.

Appointed by a juvenile court judge, CASA volunteers are specially trained to speak up for these vulnerable children and to make sure their calls for help are being heard.

CASA volunteers research the case, assess the facts, identify key problems, and submit court reports that summarize crucial information. They attend court hearings, provide insight to the judge and recommend actions in the best interest of the child.

Be a CASA volunteer and ....
• Speak up to protect the fragile rights of children.
• Become a member of a respected, professional organization.
• Contribute to your community.
• Unite with others who believe children deserve to be protected and cherished.
• Make something that has gone terribly wrong, a little bit better.

Children need CASA volunteers now more than ever. As more and more cases of abuse and neglect continue to flow into our overburdened child protection system, the risk of children becoming "lost" escalates to frightening proportions. The CASA volunteer speaks independently, objectively, and passionately, on behalf of the children.

What does it take?

• Commitment to children
• Common sense and persistence
• Objectivity
• Responsibility
• Communication skills
• The ability to talk with different kinds of people, some of who will be wrestling with difficult problems.
• About 10 to 15 hours a month

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a wide variety of professional, education, and ethnic backgrounds. A social service or legal background is not required, however, volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, screened and undergo a background check to ensure the safety of children. Once accepted, volunteers are trained in courtroom procedure, the child protection system, the juvenile justice system, and the special needs of children who have been abused and neglected. Only one of five abused and neglected children currently has someone to speak up for their best interest. You can offer your skills and time with CASA, one of the most challenging and rewarding volunteer opportunities you can find.