¡Levante Su Voz por un Niño!
Become an Advocate for Hispanic Children!
The Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program is in need of bilingual Hispanic volunteers to advocate on behalf of Hispanic children who are caught up in the complex court system. Learn more about how you can become the voice for a child who has been abused or neglected.
Listen to a recent radio show about CASA of Northern Virginia (MP3, 11 minutes).
¿Que es le Programa CASA?
What is the CASA Program?
¿Porqué se Necesitan Voluntarios Hispanos y Bilingues?
Why do we need bilingual Hispanic volunteers?
¿Que Hace un Voluntario CASA?
What does a CASA Volunteer do?
¿Quien Puede Ser un Voluntario CASA?
Who can be a CASA Volunteer?
¿Cuales son las Responsabilidades de un Voluntario CASA?
What are the responsibilities of a CASA Volunteer?
¿Cuales Son los Benificios de Ser un Voluntario CASA?
What are the benefits of being a CASA Volunteer?
¿Como Puedo Aplicar Para Ser un Voluntario CASA?
How can I apply to be a CASA Volunteer?
¿Como Puedo Obtener Mas Información Sobre el Programa CASA?
How can I learn more about the CASA Program?
¿Que es le Programa CASA?
The Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is a member of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, a nationally recognized and respected program. The mission of the CASA Program is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes. The CASA program trains community members to act as the voice of a child who has been abused or neglected and is caught up in the complexities of the court system.
Learn more about the CASA Program.
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¿Porqué se Necesitan Voluntarios Hispanos y Bilingues?
Why do we Need Bilingual Hispanic Volunteers?
There are many misconceptions about the child welfare system in the United States. The truth is that the overall goal of child welfare system is to help keep children safe. In an ideal world, children would all be safe and healthy growing up in their own homes. The unfortunate reality is that children from all races, ethnicities and backgrounds can be abused and neglected. Often, abuse is due to a lack of understanding about appropriate parenting practices or can be caused by the stresses of poverty, language barriers and acculturation. Whatever the cause, all children deserve the right to a safe and healthy upbringing.
In some cases where abuse and neglect are severe, children are or are at risk of being placed in foster care. In many of these cases, families just need support and education to be reunited with their children. However, immigrant families face many obstacles when it comes to getting the services they need, including language barriers and a lack of understanding about what is expected of them. Seeing that there is someone who they can relate to and who speaks their language, advocating on behalf of their child can help motivate parents to do what it takes to be reunited with their children.
In other cases, reunification is just not possible. When this occurs, children involved in the court system need someone whose sole purpose is to advocate for their best interests. This is where the CASA Volunteer comes in. Hispanic children in particular need culturally knowledgeable advocates who speak their language and understand their traditions and heritage. They need people they can identify with and who will advocate vigorously for their best interests.
Nationally, approximately 16% of all abused and neglected children are Hispanic and 12% of children in foster care are Hispanic. However, in Arlington approximately 33% of investigations or assessments for abuse and neglect and approximately 33% of the children in foster care each year are Hispanic. In Alexandria, 10% of children in foster care are Hispanic. Each of these children needs someone who has their best interest at heart, someone who understands their background, their language and their culture and who will advocate for their best interests.
Bilingual Hispanic CASA Volunteers can offer Hispanic children and their families a level of support that non-bilingual volunteers simply cannot. Bilingual volunteers are able to speak directly with families without the need for interpretation. This can help to build rapport and increase family cooperation and compliance. Hispanic volunteers provide Hispanic children and their families a level of understanding of their cultural traditions and a value of their heritage that non-Hispanic volunteers cannot.
Of course, not all Hispanic cultures are the same, however it makes a tremendous difference to a family to work with someone who looks like them and who understands (either personally or from their family's experience) what it means to be from somewhere else.
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¿Que Hace un Voluntario CASA?
CASA Volunteers are Court Appointed Special Advocates for children. They are trained community volunteers appointed by judges to speak up for children in the juvenile court system.
The role of a CASA Volunteer is to advocate on behalf of children in the child welfare system. As an advocate for children, CASA Volunteers make recommendations to the court about what is in the best interest of that child. They also work with lawyers, social workers, and other community members to ensure that the child and family is provided the services necessary to work towards a resolution and find permanency for the child.
What a CASA Volunteer Does:
- CASA Volunteers are provided at least 32 hours of initial training to prepare them to become effective advocates. Trainings include information about what abuse and neglect are, the child welfare system, the juvenile court system, cultural aspects of abuse and neglect, community resources available and much more information pertinent to helping children and their families.
- Once they have completed their training and have accepted the responsibilities of a CASA Volunteer, they are sworn in as official officers of the court, a highly respected honor and privilege.
- Once a volunteer is assigned to a child, his job is to learn as much as he can about that child. He will talk to parents and other family members, teachers or childcare providers, social workers, and others involved in the life of the child.
- Most importantly, the volunteer will talk to the child about what he is going through and about what he wants. He will offer support and guidance and help the child maneuver through this traumatic experience.
- The volunteer will create a report that is shared with the court and includes recommendations about what he thinks is in the best interest of the child.
- The volunteer is provided continuous training and support by the program staff throughout the life of the case.
CASA children need CASA Volunteers who are able to understand and relate to their culture, heritage and traditions and who can advocate vigorously for what is in their best interest. Currently, there are not enough bilingual Hispanic CASA volunteers to advocate on behalf of the large number of Hispanic children in the child welfare system in Arlington and Alexandria. Apply to become a CASA Volunteer.
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¿Quien Puede Ser un Voluntario CASA?
CASA Volunteers are regular people, many who hold full time jobs, who care about children. They have a variety of professional and educational backgrounds. If you are 21 years of age or older, can talk to people who are going through a difficult time, are bilingual in Spanish and English and have time to commit to helping Hispanic children and families, then you could be a CASA Volunteer. No special experience is required. Volunteers are selected on the basis of their objectivity, competence and commitment.
However, CASA Volunteers cannot be taught to speak Spanish or to understand the cultural and traditional richness of the Hispanic cultures. Only Hispanic volunteers can bring that with them to the program. That is why we need you!
It takes a special person to be a CASA Volunteer. CASA Volunteers are committed to the well-being of children and are held in high esteem by their peers, social services, the courts and the community. If you think you've got what it takes to be an advocate for children, then we are looking for you!
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¿Cuales son las Responsabilidades de un Voluntario CASA?
CASA Volunteers have the following responsibilities:
- Time. CASA Volunteers commit approximately 10-15 hours per month when they are assigned to a case. CASA Volunteers are asked to commit to at least 1 year but most realize how important it is to stay with a case until there is a resolution.
- Training. CASA Volunteers are required to complete at least 32 hours of pre-service training prior to being sworn in as an official CASA Volunteer. CASA Volunteers are also asked to complete 12 hours of in-service training each year.
Find out more information about the CASA trainings.
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¿Cuales Son los Benificios de Ser un Voluntario CASA?
CASA Volunteers gain so much from their volunteer experience. Every CASA Volunteer makes some difference in the life of each child they work with.
- Some volunteers enjoy being a part of a solution, rather than just sitting by.
- Other CASA Volunteers enjoy the many learning and networking opportunities offered by CASA trainings, events and resources available through the program.
- Some like being aware of what is happening to children and families, and knowing what resources are available within the community.
- Others like being involved with a nationally recognized and highly respected organization and program and the prestige that comes from such an affiliation.
- Still others enjoy the camaraderie that comes from working with others who are also trying to make a difference for children.
Whatever your reason, being a CASA Volunteer can be the most rewarding experience you'll ever have.
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¿Como Puedo Aplicar Para Ser un Voluntario CASA?
To apply to be a CASA Volunteer, simply complete the Volunteer Application and return it by fax, email or mail to the CASA Program.
Fax: (703) 820-9002
Email: info@scanva.org
Mail: Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program
1705 Fern Street, 2nd Floor
Alexandria, VA 22302
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¿Como Puedo Obtener Mas Información Sobre el Programa CASA?
How can I Learn More About the CASA Program?
To learn more about the CASA Program and becoming a CASA Volunteer please call us at (703) 820-9001.
Presentations are available for businesses, organizations and other groups. You can request a presentation about the CASA program for your worksite, group, church or other venue by completing the Presentation Request Form.
Check out the National CASA website for more information about the national effort to support abused and neglected children.
Take a look at and/or print out our informational brochure.
Take a look at and/or print out our informational flyer.
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