In order for a child to be served by a CASA Volunteer Advocate, there are several steps:
- First, there must be a CHIPS order – the Court must adjudicate the child to be a Child is In need of Protection and Services.
- At any point in time that a CHIPS case is heard before a Judge, the Judge on the case may appoint A CASA Volunteer Advocate to a child or a sibling group.
- CASA will then, from our pool of trained Advocate Volunteers, work to make a good match between the child and the Volunteer Advocate, taking into account many factors, including the location/proximity, age(s) of the children, the child’s medical or psychological needs, the volunteer’s and child’s interests, the volunteer’s experience and skills, and more.
- Once the child and the CASA Volunteer Advocate are matched, the Advocate makes the commitment to:
- Meet with the child consistently, usually once a week,
- File regular reports with the Judge, and
- Stay with the child until the case closes – ideally when the child has been secured a permanent living arrangement.
“There are children who will take the hand of anyone who offers. Let those hands be ours.” ~ The Honorable David D. Raasch, former Chief Judge, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans Tribal Court and CASA of Brown County Corporate Board Member