CASA of Sonoma County

Program Description:

CASA is a private non-profit organization serving the needs of adduced and neglected children.

The goal of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is to prevent abused and neglected children from becoming lost in the Juvenile Dependency system. The objective of matching a CASA Volunteer, a trained advocate from the community is to ensure that the child’s best interest is represented.

The volunteer has three essential roles as an advocate:

• to be the child’s voice in court, representing their needs, concerns, and best interests;

• to complement the Juvenile Court/Child Welfare system by researching and assessing the circumstances of each case and reporting their recommendations and findings;

• to continue to support the child and the progress of the case as it moves through the system;

The program receives referrals directly from the Juvenile Court. CASAs are matched to the child and provide approximately 10-12 hours of service per month on casework. After reviewing the case information and court reports the volunteer consults with clinical and program staff to develop a case plan. Prior to each court hearing, the volunteer prepares a court report containing their evaluations and recommendations for the child. The Juvenile Court judge reads and considers the CASA report in addition to the social worker’s report prior to making his decision. Volunteers attend all Juvenile Court hearings that affect the rights and welfare of the child. Each court appointed volunteer is carefully screened and receives 27-32 hours of expert training in skills necessary to fulfill his or her responsibilities.

CASA volunteers are in a unique position because they provide information not usually available to the Juvenile Court. Because of the growing number of cases filed in Juvenile Court and dwindling resources to adequately monitor the cases, judges find the CASA volunteers to be positive complements to providing the information necessary to make better-informed decisions.

In addition to our services to abused and neglected children, the CASA program works to provide community education and awareness concerning the issues of child abuse, neglect and child welfare policy. We are also committed to working toward public policies that promote child abuse prevention and addressing reforms in the Juvenile Dependency/Foster Care system.

Clientele Served:

Abused and negected children coming before the juvenile court for protective services. Low income minors who are dependent on the juvenile court and child welfare system for protective services

Issues Program Addresses:

CASA assure legal, therapeutic and self esteem oversight of the oyuth and appreas in court to advocate for the best interests of the child

Intern Assignments:

Advocate/Case Supervisor Intern: will be working with small group, one x one sessions/support and oversight of youth advocates and youth case plans.

Intern Training & Educational Opportunities:

30 hour classroom training, 6 site visits and 2 courtroom observations to gain and overview of the child welfare and juvenile court systems of care for abused children .

Intern Benefits: (Include stipend, conferences, car, food, etc.)

None

Student will be reimbursed for any travel or expenses when appropriate

Other Special Placement Procedures or Requirements (Including Dates of Internship, Special Application Forms and Deadlines):

Interns will be asked to undergo the CASA training and become a sworn officer of the court. These training are offered in July and October. Between the two sessions we would like the student to have completed all sessions and field work

Computers skills, good grammar and writing/editing skills. A car and proof of insurance and valid Ca. driver’s license. Spanish speaking is always a plus but not necessary.

1 or 2

Can do and up personality with a willingness to learn all aspects of human services and child welfare service as administered by a CASA program. Successfully undergo training, complete screening. See # 5