Volunteer to be a CASA
CASA volunteers are highly effective in advocating for abused and neglected children. In fact, a recent national survey reveals that judges believe the work of CASA volunteers is high quality, beneficial to judicial decision-making, and valuable to the children and families served. (For more information, see www.nationalcasa.org.) Unfortunately, the courts are seeing an increasing number of children in abuse and neglect cases, and more volunteers are needed. In Indiana, the law was recently changed to say that EVERY child (not just children in certain cases) should have a CASA to speak for them. There is a critical need for volunteers so that no child goes without an advocate to guide them through the most difficult time in their young lives.
There are over 59,000 CASA volunteers across the country. Greene County CASA Program is seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate in the rewarding and empowering experience of serving as a CASA volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and must pass screening requirements and receive training to serve as a CASA. All applicants are welcome, but African American, Hispanic individuals and men are especially needed.
Greene County CASA Program recruits and provides 30 hours of thorough training for volunteer advocates to prepare them to investigate cases, assure that children’s needs are met during the legal proceedings, and assist children with navigating the complex child welfare system. Volunteers are asked to commit to a child until the legal proceeding is over and the child is able to go home, is adopted or achieves permanency in a safe and stable home.
In addition to serving as child advocates, the Greene County CASA Program also needs volunteers who might assist in other areas, such as outreach, marketing, and leadership efforts. With the growing number of children in the court system, more outreach and marketing efforts are needed to recruit and train advocates and to raise funds.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete the contact form below or print out the Volunteer Application (PDF) and fax it to us at (812) 384-2386 or mail it to PO Box 231, Bloomfield, IN 47424. We will be in touch within the next few days to discuss your interest. You may also contact Kelly Leonhard, Sandy May or Sandy Norris by telephone at (812) 384-2036 or by e-mail at casa@co.greene.in.us.
You can also view “Becoming a CASA Volunteer” and our "Basic Information Update".