Every year in Rhode Island, more than 3,000 children are identified as victims of abuse and/or neglect by their families. Hence, through no fault of their own, they become part of the Child Welfare and Family Court systems. Although this number is staggering, the Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer Program of the R.I. Family Court is helping to make a difference. CASA trains volunteers to speak for the best interest of these children in court and to help find them safe, permanent homes.

Description:
* What is the CASA Program of the R.I. Family Court? CASA is a statewide program dedicated to helping abused and neglected children find their way through the RI child welfare and family court systems to safe, loving, permanent homes. Because of the dedication of well-trained CASA volunteers, these children have an advocate to speak for their "best interests" in court.

*What is a CASA Volunteer? Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen appointed by the Chief Judge of the RI Family Court to represent the best interests of a child victim in cases of abuse and/or neglect.

*What is the CASA volunteer's role? A CASA's role in abuse and/or neglect proceedings is to present the court with a unique "child-centered" perspective regarding what is in the best interest of the child. To prepare their recommendations, CASA volunteers talk with the child, parents, family members, foster families, social workers and all other persons involved in the child's life. Most importantly, CASA volunteers visit with the child on a regular basis in order to gain an understanding of the child's situation.

*How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved with a case? CASA volunteers are asked to make a commitment to each case they assume: approximately 12-18 months. This is a necessary commitment due to the dynamics of abuse and neglect cases and the need for stability in the lives of the child victims. Often the CASA volunteer remains the only consistent figure for the child throughout the court's proceedings.

*How many children does CASA serve? At this time there are 3,400 children who could use the services of a CASA volunteer.

*What training does a CASA volunteer receive? Each CASA volunteer must complete 30 hours of comprehensive pre-service training. The curriculum is designed to inform volunteers about courtroom procedures, the dynamics of abuse and neglect, cultural differences, RI state laws and effective communication techniques. Professionals from social service agencies, lawyers and judges as well as seasoned volunteers participate with CASA staff in sharing their expertise during this training.

*Is there a "typical" CASA volunteer? CASA volunteers come from all walks of life with a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. Two requirements are that the person must be 21 years of age and a United States citizen. CASA volunteers are in professions that include retirees, homemakers, business owners, college students, doctors, teachers, mothers, fathers, grandparents, advertising agency executives and clergy members.

*How much time does volunteering require? CASA volunteers spend from 1-4 hours per week, or approximately 8-10 hours per month on each case. However, cases that are more complex may require more time spent researching and conducting interviews with involved parties.

*How many cases on average does a CASA volunteer carry at a time? The average caseload is one-two. More seasoned volunteers may carry more cases.

*How does a CASA research a case? To prepare for their recommendations to the court, CASA volunteers talk regularly with the child, parents, family members, foster family, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history. The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child's schooling, medical records and case worker reports.

*How effective is the CASA program? Judges throughout RI have noted the value of the information that CASA volunteers bring to the proceedings and are appreciative of the unique perspective presented by CASA volunteers. In addition, national studies show that a child who has been assigned a CASA volunteer spends less time in court and less time in foster care than those who do not have a CASA volunteer.

History:
CASA Volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Nearly 23 years ago, the RI Family Court began the second CASA volunteer program in the country. Presently, there are over 900 programs throughout the United States. Since that time there have been hundreds of children in RI served by the CASA program. Volunteers represent all cultures, professions, ethnic and educational backgrounds and have no special experience. Volunteers are thoroughly trained so that they can work confidently within the child welfare and family court systems. Read more about CASA at our website and then Link to Family Court, then Link to CASA.

Contact person: Kristina DeAngelis, Volunteer Coordinator, (401) 458-3330, (email)
Office fax number: (401) 458-3340

Address:

RI Family Court , One Dorrance Plaza Providence, RI 02903 (See a map)

Directions:

Call for directions.

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Solutions for Children, Youth, Families
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	No

Overall Experience   
Very rewarding

I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate. I have been volunteering with this program for almost 15 years. I find that I make a different in a child's life. posted by ncasa4life@aol.com on July 4, 2004