What is a CASA?
Description: CASA volunteers are paired to mentor a youth in foster care and work one on one to advocate for their best interests. As sworn officers of the court, CASA volunteers visit their youth on a regular basis, interact with professionals and others involved in the child's case, gather information, and make recommendations directly to the child's Judge. CASA abides by the guiding principle that it is in the youth’s best interest to grow and develop in the care of their family of origin if that can be safely achieved. Volunteer advocacy is focused on permanency, health, education, and life skills. CASA volunteers serve youth under the care of both the dependency and delinquency court from birth through the age defined by state statute (up to 21 years of age).
Responsibilities:
CASAs advocate for children's best interests through the following responsibilities, depending upon the needs of each individual case:
Complete a 32-hour pre-service training program, including in-person and online components.
Maintain regular contact with youth (visit twice per month). Establish a relationship with youth through consistent communication to understand the youth's needs and desires.
Gather information about the youth’s circumstances, evaluate the facts independently, and provide recommendations to the court by means of written reports.
Communicate sensitively and objectively with youth, social workers, foster care providers, therapists, teachers, attorneys, parents, or other family members who may be involved in the case.
Attend Court hearings pertaining to the assigned case. Support youth throughout Court proceedings.
Determine if a permanent plan has been created for the youth and whether appropriate services are provided to the youth and family.
Ensure that the court-approved plans for the youth are being implemented.
Maintain and submit monthly documentation of advocacy work, including a monthly check-in with CASA OC staff and timely entries detailing time spent on the case via an online database.
Complete 12 hours of continuing education per year.
Qualifications: Anyone over 21 who is committed to helping children in our community may apply to become a CASA volunteer. No specific educational background is required, but volunteers must have strong communication and problem-solving skills and enjoy working with people from various backgrounds and cultures. CASAs must hold a driver's license and have a 3-year safe driving history. CASA's duties include face-to-face contact with a child twice a month wherever the child resides. All volunteers must undergo a background check, including fingerprinting and regular DMV checks.
Time Commitment: CASA Volunteers are expected to devote the necessary time to serve as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and are encouraged to spend 8 - 10 hours per month volunteering for a minimum of 2 years or until permanency is achieved. Hours are primarily weekends and evenings with some availability during business hours required.
The Help Model
At Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA OC), you can HELP a youth in foster care break the cycle of abuse. We train volunteers to stand beside a child—amplifying their voice and championing their needs to help them reach their full potential.
Our innovative, strengths-based framework equips CASA volunteers with practical tools and staff support to help children build transformative connections, healthy habits, and life skills—sparking hope and improving the wellness of the child.
LIFE SKILLS: Helping youth build the skills to express their needs, develop positive relationships, manage emotions, and grow in independence and the practical life skills needed for everyday success.
PERMANENCY: Ensuring youth have safe, stable homes, strong family connections, and a path to long-term permanency.
HEALTH:: Championing the health and well-being of youth through access to health care, emotional support, and safe, healthy development.
EDUCATION: Ensuring every youth has a stable school experience, stays engaged in learning, and receives the support needed to make meaningful academic progress.
The CASA Model
CASA volunteers are not informal mentors — they are court-appointed officers of the court.
Through judicial appointment, CASA volunteers operate with the authority of the court, allowing them to:
Access case-relevant records
Attend court hearings
Submit written court reports
Advocate directly to the judge regarding a child’s best interests
CASA of Orange County provides each volunteer with:
Comprehensive pre-service training
Ongoing continuing education
Professional supervision and coaching from a CASA staff member - their Advocate Supervisor
Structured advocacy tools aligned with the HELP Model
Over 90% of CASA volunteers report receiving effective support from their Advocate Supervisors.
Outcomes
Children heal in community.
Outcomes improve when a collaborative team of support is coordinated around a child’s well-being. CASAs are able to communicate with and help to support collaboration across the variety of professionals and adults working to provide support to a youth during their time in foster care. These include:
Teachers and school staff
Coaches and mentors
Caregivers and relatives
Neighborhoods and faith communities
Social workers and legal advocates
Direct service providers
When aligned, these supports improve:
Overall health
Educational attainment
Successful transition to adulthood
Placement stability
Permanency outcomes
The #1 protective factor for a child who has experienced trauma is:
A stable, consistent connection with a caring adult.
CASA volunteers can become that connection.
Youth served by CASA of Orange County confirms the impact of these relationships:
91% say their CASA shows they care
88% say their CASA listens to them
84% say their CASA makes their life better
CASA volunteers:
Show up consistently
Listen without judgment
Advocate in court
Celebrate milestones
Provide relational stability in a system defined by transitions
Volunteers are typically matched with youth for an average of 3.5 years, with 80% describing their relationship as close or very close — many continuing even after court involvement ends. These protective relationships help shift outcomes from risk toward resilience.