Sep 23, 2018 4 min read

WAYNESBURG – As the newly-formed nonprofit gets off the ground, Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, is looking for those interested in making a difference in the lives of Greene County children.

Chris Gardner, court assistant for program development at the Greene County Courthouse, said there has been lots of movement with the organization this first year.

“We’ve made a lot of progress,” she said.

Office space for the organization in the county’s Fort Jackson Building should be ready in about three months. The website, greenecountycasa.org, is up and running. Applications for grants have been submitted. Now, they just need volunteers.

The goal is to have volunteer training in October, and six to 10 interested volunteers would be needed for the inaugural class.

“They’re going to set the tone for how we do,” said Maura Kelly, who works for the state CASA association as the western region’s program operations liaison. “It’s a great opportunity for folks in this community to be an advocate for foster children.”

Kelly has done work with lots of nonprofits and began her CASA journey as a volunteer. The experience has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding in her life.

Kelly is currently in the process of making the local organization’s first hire, a program director. That director would match volunteers with cases, as well as accompany them to any necessary court hearings. Kelly said the organization has attorneys in place, but they don’t have the time to do the in-depth reports that volunteers will be working on.

The volunteers work closely with anyone that may be involved in a child’s life, including caseworkers from Children and Youth Services. Caseworkers perform difficult work with overwhelming workloads, whereas CASA volunteers typically have one or two cases. They have the time to really hone in on what is happening in a child’s life in order to make the proper recommendations.

Those volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of experiences, but all have a passion for children and the work in common. Kelly said many are hesitant to sign up because they do not feel qualified.

It takes someone willing to visit with children, listen and testify in court. Kelly said it’s an unusual opportunity, with a purposeful involvement. It requires a mix of skills and is intellectually stimulating and challenging work.

Interested volunteers can drop off applications, which can be found on the organization’s website, at the Greene County courthouse. The hope is to host the first training Oct. 23, with sessions through October and November, and swear in the class in late November or December. Applications can also be mailed. Anyone with questions should call 724-833-2615.

How to become a volunteer

CASA volunteers are assigned by the court to a case of child abuse or neglect, often an extreme case recommended by county Children and Youth Services. From there, they work to provide a report for the court by conducting interviews and gathering information about the child. They make a recommendation on what’s best for that child, giving them a voice and a consistent presence in their lives.

Research has shown that children with a CASA volunteer spend less time in court and the foster care system, have better chances of finding permanent homes and perform better in school. These volunteers can become mentors for children that face trauma and uncertainty in their lives.

CASA volunteers provide information during a case in the best interest of their child. The intention is to be involved in some of the worst cases to be another set of eyes and ears. Through visits, interviews and observations, volunteers build a relationship with the child. They are part of a team working together on a child’s case, from caseworkers to attorneys. They spend about eight to 12 hours a month working on their case, though that time can vary depending on the child and the case.

Volunteers go through an initial 30-hour training and continued education, as well as background checks. No specific expertise or background is needed. They receive training on how to testify in court, how to prepare a report, what signs to look for and more. Anyone interested can become a volunteer. A case requires an 18-month commitment.