Change a child's story, change a child's life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are CASA kids?
Any child who has been abused and who is under the jurisdiction of the Hillsdale County Family Court can be a CASA kid, but generally our children have seen the worst. They may have been severely abused, they may have had several foster homes already, they may have many siblings and are separated from them. They may have extensive educational, medical or emotional needs. CASA Volunteers serve the children who need our advocacy, consistency and listening ear the most!
What if I work full time?
Many of our volunteers have full time positions outside of CASA. The executive director can attend hearings and speak on your behalf, if needed. CASA workers work with the child's placement to schedule a time that works for both parties. These visits can take place during the day, in the evening, or on weekends.
Tell me about training?
Training is usually 10 sessions, 3 hours each in a classroom setting and generally weekday evenings. We have sometimes also held trainings on Saturdays, for 5-6 hours for 5 Saturdays. We provide everything you need. We learn about the law, culture, poverty, trauma, brain development, family supports, education and special education, medical needs, and “how” to CASA. After you are trained CASA Staff will fully support you during your advocacy.
Can I choose the child/ren?
We do our best to match volunteers and children. One of the best ways to do this is to listen to our volunteer’s preferences. Of course, we don’t choose our children, we serve those the court assigns, so some flexibility is important.
How many children will I advocate for?
A CASA volunteer will only be assigned one case at a time. Most CASA Volunteers have 1-2 children per case. In larger families, we have a team of CASA Volunteers who advocate.
Where are our kids located?
While all of our children will have court hearings in Hillsdale County due to a lack of local foster homes, some children might be placed in surrounding communities.