A CASA Volunteer Not Your Typical Volunteer Role

CASA of the Mid-Shore serves children under the protection of the Circuit Courts in Talbot, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Kent Counties. The children have been abused or neglected and need a consistent, trusted advocate to stand by their side. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers can make a world of difference by speaking up for local children’s needs, safety, and permanence.
Executive Director Robin Davenport shares, “CASA is not your typical volunteer role, which is one of the unique aspects of volunteering with our program. Each CASA is an adult volunteer working to ensure their child’s individual needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system. Most importantly, the CASA volunteer gets to know their appointed child and frequently becomes one of the most consistent adults in the child’s life. We need to grow our pool of CASA volunteers in order to serve more children.”
Interested individuals first complete an application and a screening process. The next step in a prospective volunteer’s experience is participating in CASA of the Mid-Shore’s Pre-Service Training classes. The CASA staff creates a supportive learning environment to build skills and knowledge in child-welfare policy, judicial practices, communication, cultural humility, program values, and best-interest advocacy.
After successfully completing the training, new CASA volunteers are sworn-in as officers of the court. Upon appointment to a child’s case, CASA volunteers work closely with CASA supervisors in developing an advocacy plan. By getting to know their appointed child’s wishes and needs, the CASA then advocates for services to meet those needs as quickly as possible. Studies show that children with CASA volunteers have their needs identified sooner, and services to meet those needs are put into place sooner than for those foster children without CASAs. All the more reason behind this program’s commitment to serve as many children as possible!
CASA volunteers are a diverse group of people who bring a myriad of life experiences to their advocacy work. Why volunteer with CASA of the Mid-Shore?
CASA Bill Griffin explains his reasons for being a CASA volunteer: “Instead of playing with friends, participating in sports, and making happy family memories, these children [served by CASA] are attending court hearings, adjusting to new foster homes, transitioning to new schools, and missing their families and friends. That’s a heavy burden for a child to carry. It takes time and patience to build a relationship with a child, and it takes time for a child to begin to trust. As a CASA volunteer, I start by being present, spending time getting to know the child and the people who touched this child’s life. I show up for the child, offering encouragement and hope. I remind myself that I cannot fix or reverse his past. Rather, I identify what he needs now, and I advocate for whatever is necessary to meet those needs in order for this child to thrive.”
Research shows that one caring adult has the potential to positively change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Through one-on-one guidance, support, and advocacy, CASA volunteers work to ensure the children in their case have access to health, education, and permanency-planning services that will improve their quality of life, provide strong adult relationships, and pave the way for futures that are brighter than their pasts might predict.
CASA of the Mid-Shore is currently accepting applications from individuals interested in becoming Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. At times a friend, at times a role model, always a familiar face, a CASA volunteer is a steady advocate for the child and often an important, consistent figure in the child’s life. CASA of the Mid-Shore welcomes individuals 21 years of age and older from all cultures, races, professions, ethnicities, educational backgrounds, and experiences. Male volunteers and volunteers from minority communities are especially encouraged to apply. All prospective volunteers are screened and interviewed before participating in the Pre-Service Training class.
Now enrolling applicants the FALL Pre-Service Training classes! Learn what it takes to become a CASA Volunteer. Call 410-822-2688 or visit www.casamidshore.org.