Programs: San Juan County

Court Appointed Special Advocates

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OF A CASA VOLUNTEER

1. A CASA volunteer should:
   • Maintain complete written records about the case, including appointments, interviews and information gathered about the child.
      
   • Report any incidents of child abuse or neglect to the CASA supervisor and appropriate authorities.
      
   • Determine if a permanent plan has been created for the child, and whether appropriate services, including reasonable efforts, are being provided to the child and family.
      
   • Assure that the child's best interests are being represented at every stage of the case, attend court hearings, and make a written or verbal recommendation to the court according to the best interest of the child.
      
   • Monitor the case by visiting the child as often as necessary to observe whether the child's essential needs are being met, and whether compliance of the court's orders are being carried out.
      
   • Attend and participate in any planning or treatment team meetings involving the child in order to keep informed of the child's permanent plan.
      
   • Remain actively involved in the case until formally dismissed by the court.
      
   • Take and sign an oath of confidentiality.
      

    

2. A CASA volunteer should not become inappropriately involved in the case by providing direct service delivery to any parties that could (a) lead to a conflict of interest or liability problems; or (b) cause a child or family to become dependent on the CASA volunteer for services that should be provided by other agencies or organizations. Examples of inappropriate volunteer practices that are appropriate grounds for dismissal include, but are not limited to:
   • Taking a child home or sheltering a child in the home
      
   • Giving legal advice or therapeutic counseling
      
   • Making placement arrangements for the child
      
   • Giving money or expensive gifts to the child or family
      
   • Breaking confidentiality by disclosing information to people who are not party to the case
      
   • Taking action without program approval which endangers the child or is outside the role or powers of the CASA program
      
   • Inability to effectively carry out CASA duties
      
   • Falsifying volunteer application or misrepresents facts during the screening process
      
   • Failure to complete required ongoing training
      
3. CASA volunteer will not transport a child in their personal vehicle.
    
4. A CASA volunteer should not be related to any parties involved in the case, or be employed in a position and/or agency that might result in a conflict of interest.
    
5. A CASA volunteer should not engage in any ex-parte communication with the judge assigned to the case on which the CASA is working.