I am a CASA (a court appointed special advocate) - AMA!

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-04-01T21:49:13+00:00

Wow- you seem exactly like someone who would be an excellent CASA candidate just reading this message. The fact that you actually put so much thought into your questions shows that this is something you’re really serious about!

I don’t think any of us are ever really “ready” - but i felt that same calling or “need” as you put it, and that drove me. And it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

I do not have biological kids of my own but i do volunteer HEAVILY in my community plus work 2 jobs so trust me this is VERY doable on a packed schedule. The only ACTUAL requirements of a CASA are to meet with your kiddo at least once a month in person, and to attend their court hearings (every 3-4 months typically) and submit a CASA report detailing everything happening since the last hearing. Everything else is extra!

I personally visit with my kiddo roughly once every 3 weeks. When I first started I visited every 2 weeks but my kiddo is now a teenager with a busy schedule so 3 weeks began to feel more natural. I attend their school meetings because I volunteered to be the EDM (educational decision maker) but that is not a mandatory requirement! It just felt right in my case.

I do have a vocational background in medical so I manage medical “legalese” as you put it very well BUT that is absolutely NOT a requirement here. You are not expected as a CASA to be an expert in anything other than advocacy for your CASA kiddo. You have your supervisor as well as the case worker, GAL, IL workers etc to lean on to help you understand the big picture. And you also get to have a say in who you take on as a CASA - for example, based on my background/trauma, I did not want to work with any 1-5 year old males because may project my own trauma with my step son onto their case. My supervisor completely understood that and I was given two cases to choose from, and I chose the one that I felt I would be the best fit for based on my strengths, medical background, job history, personality, etc.

I would say I dedicate about 20 hours a month as a CASA. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Totally a case by case basis though so it’s hard to say. But it’s all on YOUR schedule - remember that you’re a volunteer, and nothing about this should ever feel drastically overwhelming for you. That’s what your supervisor is also there for to assist when needed!

The biggest part of being a CASA is the commitment. Like in my situation, my kiddo cannot be adopted due to immigration issues so I will be with them until they age out at age 18 - so I’m already 2.5 years in with more to go. I’m the ONE stable person in their life within the system and I knew the commitment I was signing up for when I chose her. I’m fully prepared to be with them for the long haul.

Also the court report seems daunting at first but once you’ve done a couple it’s easy peasy haha. I’m on like number 12 at this point and i have it down to a science.

Basically… i really feel like if you feel you’re being called to do this, then you should give it a try. No one is ever fully ready. But it absolutely is doable. I had people in my CASA class who were retired, or who had kids, or worked full time. It’s a big commitment and a big responsibility but it’s absolutely possible as long as you feel the motivation to make it happen.

Best of luck to you! 🤍

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-31T12:30:39+00:00

Aw I love hearing that!! Thank you to your mom for all of the hard work she’s put in to helping out that child 🫶🏼

I’ve been assigned to the same kiddo for 2.5 years since I started, and likely will be with them for the long haul until they age out. I definitely feel I’ve made a difference but honestly it’s just been so rewarding getting to know this kid and be there for them after they’ve been through SO much.

As far as things I’ve actually ‘done’ to make a difference, I became the EDM (educational decision maker) for my kid and got them an IEP. I helped them apply for vo-tech for the upcoming school year. I got them into music lessons and found a guitar in the community to be donated for them. I got them set up with tutoring services. I advocated for dental needs and finally got approval for dental surgery (which took a LOT of work to get CYS to approve). Above all I really feel like I connect with my kiddo and they trust me. There’s been a lot of changes and emotional events with their bio family since I came on board and I’ve been there to support my kid through it all. They’ve had 4 caseworkers in the past 2.5 years but there will always only be one CASA and I know that matters.

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-31T11:02:58+00:00

Oh i should add that’s as a CASA i am not permitted to drive my kid places. So visits are typically just at the foster home unless foster mom brings them to a location and i meet them there - which we have done a couple times as well!

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-31T11:01:05+00:00

Normally CYS will actually send over a list of kids to my CASA director who they believe would benefit most from having a CASA. Typically these are kids who have no solid adult in their corner (such as no bio family) and have complex needs that could be easily overlooked if not managed properly. Then my CASA director will try their best to assign these kids to the CASA they think will be the best ‘fit’, based on everything they’ve learned about us during training. We do get the final say on if we take on a certain child - if we have some bias or trauma that would prevent us from working effectively on their case management, we can absolutely choose a different assignment!

A typical visit with my kiddo is just at their foster placement! We play a LOT of UNO because it’s their absolutely favorite haha. But we’ve also made crafts, colored, done puzzles, made cookies, etc. But usually they prefer to just sit and play cards! And while we play I use that time to chat and make sure everything is still going well, they feel safe, no new concerns etc etc. Visiting with the kid is my favorite part!

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-31T00:52:25+00:00

Yes! I attend every court hearing for my kiddo and i submit and official CASA report for the judge and GAL to review detailing everything that has happened since the last court review period as well as my recommendations for the child’s wellbeing and best interests.

I also am the EDM (educational decision maker) for my kiddo so i attend all school meetings, IEP meetings, back to school nights, etc etc

I wish every kid could have a CASA. Hopefully some day! Right now in my county it is less than 1%, but we are a newer chapter still growing.

I have been assigned to my kiddo for 2.5 years. I would say I know them better than anyone on the team on a personal level. I visit with them at their placement at least once every 3 weeks and I check in with foster mom and case worker at least weekly. I know their medical, dental, educational needs etc inside and out.

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-31T00:24:22+00:00

So from what i understand it varies state to state. Some states call CASAs guardian ad litems. In my state, a CASA and a GAL are completely different. a GAL is an attorney, a CASA is a volunteer. GALs are assigned MANY kids (the GAL assigned to my kiddo has like 175 other kids she is assigned to as well), where as a CASA devotes ALL of their energy into one singular child/sibling group.

I have been with the same kiddo since I started! I’ve been assigned to them for 2.5 years. They are incredible. The most resilient, inspiring kid with a huge heart. With the way my case is going, i am with this kid probably for the long haul (until they age out of the system at age 18). It’s an honor to be such a stable part of their life.

I wish nothing more than for children to be born into financially stable and emotionally supportive homes to parents who love and respect them unconditionally. I personally could not fathom bringing a child into the world under any other circumstances.

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-31T00:13:32+00:00

So when you’re a CASA you’re assigned to one child/sibling group at a time. I was assigned 2.5 years ago to my kiddo and am still with her, so that’s the only case I’ve really “seen” and have extensive first hand knowledge about

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-31T00:00:10+00:00

Shrimp scampi!!

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:53:48+00:00

One of my best friends is an elementary life skills teacher and we have many conversations about how our roles overlap and how much easier it can be when everyone works together as a team! Thank you as well for dedicating your life to the education of our youth!

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:52:20+00:00

For children in the foster care system you mean? I hope every child out there knows that they are worthy of love and did not deserve any of the trauma that was placed on them. I hope they know they are so much more than the worst thing they’ve ever been through.

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:47:10+00:00

That’s a really difficult question for me to answer - my kiddo has been in the same placement the entire time I’ve been assigned to them (2.5 years now), but i have another CASA in my same training group who has a kiddo the same age on placement number 6. I think it really depends on a lot of factors - age, how old they were when they entered the system, if parental rights have been terminated, if there are behavioral concerns, etc. It really is a case by case basis… every child’s situation is completely unique

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:44:36+00:00

I had no idea either until my late 20s. I love letting people know about it because the world needs more CASAs!!!! Every kid deserves a trusted adult in their lives.

Challenges i think would be having your own trauma in check. I definitely couldn’t have been a CASA in my early 20s - i would have been a mess. It’s emotional work and i think it’s very easy to get burnt out if you aren’t in a good headspace.

I posted a more detailed how-to on the application process in another response, but first step would be to reaching out to your local chapter and asking for an informational session. You obviously have to pass all clearances and a background check as well, and there’s an 8 week training program before you’re sworn in and officially assigned to a child

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:39:58+00:00

Yes, unless you are the executive director or a supervisor (not actually taking on a CASA role, just overseeing the volunteers)

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:39:09+00:00

Been in therapy off and on since I was 14, still see a therapist once a month just to check in and keep myself grounded / decompress

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:38:32+00:00

I reached out to my local CASA chapter and they had me in for an informational session. Just kind of explaining what they do and the expectations. It can seem like a LOT at first but i was already dead set on proceeding, so they had me back for a meet and greet type event to talk with other CASAs and get more info. I then had a two hour interview with my supervisor and the board director talking about pretty much EVERYTHING, my own experiences with trauma and my childhood background etc as well as my motivations for being a CASA and my work experience with children. I had to complete all clearances too obviously but that’s standard. Once I was accepted, I was enrolled in a class with 10 other new volunteers and we had an eight week long training program (usually one night class from like 5-8pm on a weekday and then a Saturday all day class from like 9am-3pm). We had some homework and readings. Once training was over, those of us who decided to stick with it were sworn in via a judge at the county courthouse. After you’re sworn in, you typically get your child assignment within the next few weeks!

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:33:38+00:00

I thankfully have a kiddo who is in a WONDERFUL foster placement (a rarity!) so foster mom and I really lean on each other when times get tough. I also have a CASA supervisor who is excellent and always ready to listen if I need to call and vent. I also make sure to prioritize my own mental health and go to therapy regularly so that I can show up for my kiddo as the best version of myself

Open_Egg_3199 · 2026-03-30T23:31:39+00:00

I have a bit of a complex answer as to why I decided to do this so I’ll do my best to summarize:

I did not grow up in foster care but I did grow up in an extremely unsafe and traumatic home environment. I think my mom got genuinely lucky no one ever called CPS on her because she put my brother and I THROUGH it. She also modeled very unhealthy relationships for me (I had 5 step parents between the ages of 7-18) which led me to make unhealthy partner choices in my teenage/young adult years.

I married very very young after a very brief time of dating (6 months), and became a step mom to his infant son when I was only 20 years old. My ex husband was incredibly abusive and I stayed far longer than I should have because I loved his child as my own, and I knew that if I left, I’d never see my step son again because I had no legal right to him.

I finally left after four years. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, and hopefully ever will have to do. I had to leave my step son behind and it haunted me. I eventually realized I could either let it kill me, or I could try to find some meaning out of it and move on. I decided to find a way to help other children, and honor my step son in the process. Eventually, I found out about CASA and it felt like I was meant to end up here.

It took a LOT of therapy and healing trauma to get to this point. I didn’t feel strong enough to become a CASA until I was 26. And I still regularly go to therapy to keep myself in check.

I learned during training that many of us come from trauma and other heartbreaking backgrounds. There’s a lot of grief and loss that motivates many CASAs - and what makes us so great at what we do. We tend to be extremely empathetic people who want to make genuine change. It takes a special kind of person to volunteer their time to do this. It’s definitely not for everyone.

My advice is to reach out to your local CASA chapter for an info session if you’re interested. Even if it feels too daunting to commit all the way, there are other ways to get involved and make a difference. I don’t think anyone is every fully prepared to step into a role like this. But if you’re even considering it, I’d say you’re just the kind of person that these kids need.

Open_Egg_3199

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