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tags: volunteering, service, children
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# My experience in CASA

I've volunteered for 11 years as a CASA Advocate ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_Appointed_Special_Advocates), [National website](http://www.casaforchildren.org/)). (In my case, I work with the local [Orange County, CA CASA](https://www.casaoc.org/)). “CASA” stands for *Court Appointed Special Advocate (for childen)*. See the Wikipedia article, but basically, CASA Advocates work with foster children to support and mentor them; help them as they navigate through the rather rocky terrain of any jeuvenile court system (they are not criminals, but parents were neglectful or abusive); find them permanent placement/adoption; get them any resources that have been missed; and advocate for them to the judge in court, as official court-appointed officers. (Think, ‘a Big Brother/Sister, but with teeth’.) The Social Services / Child Protective Services case-worker is the principle on the case, of course. But they usually have 30+ cases they are handling, and can only minimally handle all kids, because there is always a “fire to put out” that takes the bulk of their time. So as CASA advocates -- volunteers who only take one child to work with -- we often know much about the child that the case-worker does not. And we can do much “fill-in” to help both the case-worker and the judge understand what will be best for the child (and voice for the child what they themselves really want).

CASA is always looking for more volunteers, and foster children *love* to have CASAs (there is a long waiting list), so please do consider doing it! It is very fulfilling, and a great education besides.

Many CASA advocates take a string of short-term cases, taking breaks between each. In my case, however, and though it is rare in CASA to take on long-term cases, I have been lucky enough to enjoy working with and knowing the same young man that entire time, watching him grow from a little tike, up to the adult he is today. We still meet regularly.

CASA has a great on-going training program, which would be the envy of any parent. (Which is why I think all future parents should undergo CASA training -- which is free -- and serve as a voluntary CASA for at least 1 or 2 cases, before deciding whether to parent.)

In order to keep our status up as court-appointed advocates, we have to put in a certain number of training hours in that program each year. This can include seminars, speakers who are specialists in child development and local resources, books, films and documentaries, online training -- anything related to foster youth or even just raising children.

Resources 2-4 on my [Tools for Parents](/posts/tools-for-parents) page I culled as by far the most valuable from my many CASA trainings.