GET INVOLVED
What is an Advocate?
GET INVOLVED
What is an Advocate?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is an everyday citizen, specially trained by CASA of McHenry County, to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care. We advocate in Juvenile Abuse Court for the best interests and safety of children who have experienced abuse or negelct. These amazing volunteers are appointed by the Juvenile Court Judge to children aged birth – 21 years to act as the eyes and ears of the judge and the voice of the child.
An Advocate develops a relationship with the child, gathers information, and facilitates partnerships between key people in the child’s life. These volunteers speak for the child through a court report to ensure the child’s needs are met. The ultimate goal of a CASA is to help ensure every child has a safe, loving, forever home through reunification or adoption.
Advocate Responsibilities
1 – Complete Training
Following an application and interview process that includes passing a background check, prospective volunteers complete 40 hours of training to prepare for this vital role in the life of a child! After training, volunteers are officially sworn into the program and are ready to take a case.
2 – Case Assignment
The CASA staff works with the new volunteer to match them with a child that will be a good fit. The Advocate then makes connections with the child and other key people in the child’s life, including family members, foster families, caseworkers, and attorneys.
3 – Advocate for the Best Interests of the Child
The volunteer visits the child twice a month and dedicates an average of 10 – 12 hours per month to the case. This includes attending court hearings, writing reports, and checking in with key people on the case.
Qualifications / Requirements
All CASA Advocates must meet the requirements below. For more information read the Advocate Job Description.
- Must be age 21 or older
- Go through the interview process and pass a background check
- Attend 40 hours of pre-service training
- Commit to the entire length of a case
- Complete 12 hours of continuing education each year
CASA of McHenry County holds multiple training sessions each year. Trainings are generally held on weekday evenings, once a week, for 2.5 hours each evening, followed by 3-4 hours of pre-work at home. View the schedule and learn more about the Next Steps for Advocates.
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