1. What is a CASA?
2. Who does a CASA help?
3. What does a CASA do?
4. Why does a CASA make a difference?
5. What is the time commitment for a CASA volunteer?
6. What if I don’t have time to be a CASA?
7. What support do volunteers receive?
8. Who else is involved in a foster child’s life and how does a CASA fit in?
9. Do I need any special background to be a CASA?
10. How do I become a CASA volunteer?
11. On what legal basis does CASA of Los Angeles operate?
12. Does CASA of Los Angeles have the support of lawyers, judges and social workers?
13. Which ways can I donate to CASA/LA?
14. Does your group or organization need inspiring and effective presentations?

1) What is a CASA?

A CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a trained and supervised volunteer, appointed by a judge to advocate for a foster child – a child who is under the court’s protection because of abuse or neglect.

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2) Who does a CASA help?

Foster children are victims of severe abuse or neglect who have become dependents of the Court. CASA of Los Angeles serves approximately 500 foster children each year. CASAs are assigned to foster children of all ages, races and ethnicities. Since CASA volunteers are typically assigned the most challenging cases, many “CASA kids” have learning disabilities, physical disabilities, severe emotional and mental problems. Some are typical kids caught up in difficult situations. All of them could use the help of someone who cares about them.

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3) What does a CASA do?

A CASA volunteer provides an independent investigation of the child’s circumstances for the judge. The CASA gathers information, writes reports, and makes recommendations to the judge in the child’s best interests. The CASA meets with the child, parents, relatives, caregivers, social workers, teachers, school officials, healthcare providers and others involved in the child’s life. The CASA volunteer also reviews records pertaining to the child – school, medical and caseworker reports, as well as other pertinent documents. The CASA then provides that information to the judge, to help the judge make better decisions about the child’s life. The CASA monitors the child’s case to ensure that all court orders are followed. CASAs also help coordinate services for the child, help professionals work together on the child’s behalf, and research services that will benefit the child.

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4) Why does a CASA make a difference?

In an overloaded and bureaucratic system, the CASA can be the one person focused solely on the child’s needs and concerns. By providing a voice for the child, a CASA can be the difference between a system that is cold and impersonal and one that helps the child flourish. Having a CASA to talk to, to help, to lean on, to provide consistency and concern in what is often a confusing and indifferent world, gives children hope. A CASA volunteer offers a child someone to trust and feel safe with during complex, and sometimes frightening, legal proceedings. The CASA explains complicated court hearings to the child, supports them in court and explains all the various people involved in the child’s case. A CASA volunteer also listens to the child’s desires and makes them known to the court, although the CASA will always make recommendations in the child’s best interests. The CASA volunteer is often the most stable presence in a foster child’s life and for many foster children, the CASA volunteer is the only person who is not paid to care for them.

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5) What is the time commitment for a CASA volunteer?

CASA of Los Angeles requires approximately 5 hours per week on case activities, and 12 hours of continuing education each year. We require a minimum two-year commitment, but a typical assignment lasts about one and half years, and many last much longer.

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6) What if I don’t have time to be a CASA?

You can donate generously to help CASA of Los Angeles help more kids, and you can get involved in other ways as well. One way is to join the CASA Circle of Friends, a group of volunteers that supports fundraising and outreach efforts. Or, you may wish to serve as a member of the Friends of CASA’s Board of Directors.

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7) What support do volunteers receive?

All CASA volunteers receive 36 hours of training before they are assigned a case. In addition, each volunteer is assigned to a professional Program Supervisor who provides technical assistance, on the job training and moral support. Our Program Supervisors have nearly a century of combined experience working in the child welfare system and all have graduate degrees in human services or child welfare.

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8) Who else is involved in a foster child’s life and how does a CASA fit in?

Each foster child has a social worker, an attorney and a court-designated caregiver (e.g., parents, relatives, foster parents, legal guardian, or other type of caregiver). Whether or not a foster child lives with his or her parents, they may continue to play a major part in the child’s life. Many children have therapists or other professionals helping them. In addition, all children attend school and may receive special services at school. A CASA helps integrate the efforts of all these people, focusing everyone on the child’s needs and encouraging a “whole-child” approach.

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9) Do I need any special background to be a CASA?

No. Our CASAs are everyday people just like you. They are artists, teachers, retirees, sales executives, and stay-at-home moms. Many work full time while they volunteer. All share a concern for foster children and a determination to help.

A CASA volunteer must:

• Be 25 years of age or older;
• Have a valid driver’s license and automobile liability coverage;
• Have own transportation;
• Be fluent in English (bilingual volunteers are especially needed);
• Have a flexible schedule during business hours to attend court hearings; and
• Be willing to undergo a criminal background check.

A CASA volunteer cannot be:

• A current foster parent;
• An employee of a group home, residential treatment center for foster children, or other agency that provides services for foster children;
• In the process of adopting a child through the dependency court system; or
• Involved in a dependency court matter.

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10) How do I become a CASA volunteer?

First, attend an Information Session to learn more about the program. Once you have attended an Information Session, submit an application. After review of your application you will be invited to an interview with Program Supervisors. All potential volunteers undergo a criminal background check, including fingerprinting. Potential volunteers then participate in 36 hours of training over five days (see upcoming training schedules). Upon successful completion of the training, volunteers are sworn by the Presiding Judge as CASA volunteers.

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11) On what legal basis does CASA of Los Angeles operate?

The work of CASA volunteers is authorized and governed by statute (especially the Welfare and Institutions Code, section 100 et seq.), the California Rules of Court (see especially Rule 1424), local rules of the Los Angeles Superior Court, and standards established by the National CASA Association. CASA of Los Angeles is the authorized CASA program for Los Angeles County.

12) Does CASA of Los Angeles have the support of lawyers, judges and social workers?

Yes. Dependency Court Judges appoint volunteers to specific cases. The American Bar Association, National Bar Association, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice have endorsed CASA. A 2005 survey of more than 500 judges showed that judges believe that CASA volunteers do high quality work, and that CASA reports help judges make decisions and that CASA advocacy helps foster children.

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13) What are some ways I can donate to CASA/LA?

Ways to Support CASA of Los Angeles
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are adults from every walk of life who are appointed by a judge to be the independent eyes and ears of the court in dependency cases. A CASA volunteer watches over and advocates for a foster child until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. CASA volunteers watch. They listen. They have a full picture of a foster child’s needs, hopes and best interests. CASA volunteers show up consistently and speak out powerfully on behalf of our at-risk young people living in foster care. You help make it possible by supporting CASA of Los Angeles with your generous donations. Donate Online Now
It is safe and secure. The money you give will strengthen our agency and help provide strong advocacy for every child who needs it. You may also donate by mail : CASA of Los Angeles, 201 Centre Plaza Drive, Room 1100, Monterey Park, CA 91754-2142 attn.: Development Department
CASA of Los Angeles is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Other Ways to Give

Corporate Support
Learn about making a corporate donation from your company, becoming a corporate sponsor and other support opportunities for businesses.

Bequests and Planned Gifts
Leave a lasting legacy of better futures for children by making a planned gift to CASA of Los Angeles.

Workplace Giving & Matching Gifts
Double the impact of your donation to CASA of Los Angeles through your company's matching gift program.

Stocks & Securities
Donate stocks and other securities to support CASA's work in Los Angeles County.

Become a Member
Show your commitment by joining CASA of Los Angeles with an annual membership. Becoming a member of CASA of Los Angeles allows you to support the organization's work even if you don't have the time to volunteer.

Matching Gift Programs
Participating in your company’s matching gift program makes your donation go farther. Many companies encourage employees to donate to their favorite charities by matching their contributions, in some cases dollar-for-dollar or more. Some companies may even match gifts made by retirees or spouses of employees. How Do I Apply for a Matching Gift? 1. Request a matching gift form and program guidelines from your human resources department. 2. Complete the employee section of the form and send it to CASA of Los Angeles with your donation. If you have made your contribution online, simply complete the form and mail it to: CASA of Los Angeles, 201 Centre Plaza Drive, Room 1100, Monterey Park, CA 91754-2142 attn.: Development Department

Bequests and Other Planned Gifts
1. You can create a lasting legacy of hope for at-risk foster children through a planned gift to CASA of Los Angeles. Friends and supporters who express their intention to include CASA through a planned gift in their estate plan may be recognized as a member of our Legacy Society by providing us a copy of the page in the will or trust in which a planned gift to CASA of Los Angeles is mentioned. Simply mail it to: CASA of Los Angeles, 201 Centre Plaza Drive, Room 1100, Monterey Park, CA 91754-2142 attn.: Development Department
Most Popular Gift Plans

Bequests Through Your Will
A bequest to CASA of Los Angeles is one of the most effective and simplest ways to make a lasting impact on the lives of at-risk foster children in Los Angeles County. You may specify a specific amount or a percentage you wish to give to CASA of Los Angeles. If you would like to make such a gift to CASA of Los Angeles, you may include language similar to the following: "I, [name], of [city, state, zip code], give, devise and bequeath to CASA of Los Angeles, a nonprofit public benefit corporation having its principal office at 201 Centre Plaza Drive, Room 1100, Monterey Park, CA 91754-2142 [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] to be used for the furtherance of its charitable purposes in the discretion and at the direction of its board of trustees for its unrestricted use and purpose." If you are considering making such a gift by bequest, please meet with your attorney first. Discuss the ramifications of your gift and, if appropriate, update your will.

Giving Retirement Funds and Insurance Policies
If you would like to create a lasting legacy for at-risk foster children but do not wish to write a will, you can name CASA of Los Angeles as beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy.
• Retirement account: You can have a positive impact on children far into the future by naming CASA of Los Angeles as beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or other retirement account. Please consult with your financial planner or attorney regarding considerations when making this type of gift. • Insurance policies: Life insurance may be used to create a legacy by naming CASA of Los Angeles as beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of the policy. This requires that you complete a change of beneficiary form with your insurance company. You do not have to work with an attorney or an accountant to make this type of gift. Attn: Development Department 2. We will complete the form and forward it to your employer's matching gifts office for processing. The company will send its matching donation directly to CASA of Los Angeles.

Workplace Giving Campaigns
Participate in your company’s employee giving campaign to leverage the link between your professional life and your commitment to CASA of Los Angeles. Many companies match employee donations dollar-for-dollar, meaning your donation of $50 per month can be worth more than $1,000 each year. Make a gift to CASA of Los Angeles through your employer's charitable giving campaign. Write us in if permitted.

Giving Stocks or Other Securities
Increasingly, people are choosing to support the work of CASA of Los Angeles by donating gifts of securities. In addition to providing us with the crucial financial support needed to make a difference in the lives of abused children, you can save on capital gains taxation of appreciated securities. You can donate securities by transferring stock certificates or stock held through a broker.

Stock Certificates
To transfer stock certificates, you will need a stock power for each certificate that you plan to donate. These stock powers need to be signature guaranteed—simply go to your local bank or broker and have them witness your signature. They will stamp it accordingly. After you have signed the powers (do not sign the back of the certificates), mail the certificate(s) in one envelope and the signed stock powers with the signature guarantee in a separate envelope. Mail the two envelopes to: CASA of Los Angeles, 201 Centre Plaza Drive, Room 1100, Monterey Park, CA 91754-2142 attn.: Development Department. NOTE: To ensure the arrival of your gift, we recommend that the stock certificate be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested. Thank you for considering a donation of securities to CASA of Los Angeles!

Tributes and Memorial Gifts
Acknowledge any special occasion by making a donation to CASA of Los Angeles. You may also honor a loved one by sending a memorial. Tributes may be given for any occasion, including: Birthday, Baptisms, Weddings, Anniversaries, Graduations, New Residence Or Job, Promotions, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Confirmations, Etc. CASA of Los Angeles will send a letter to the person being honored. To make a tribute or memorial gift: 1. Make your check payable to CASA of Los Angeles, 2. In the memo line of your check, write the name of the individual you wish to honor and the occasion, 3. Enclose a note indicating where you would like the tribute sent (including the address) and for what occasion, 4. Mail your gift to: CASA of Los Angeles, 201 Centre Plaza Drive, Room 1100, Monterey Park, CA 91754-2158 attn.: Development Department

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 200 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally to help to raise millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal employees during the campaign season (September 1st to December 15th) support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. Here in Los Angeles County, CASA of Los Angeles has just been named a participating charity eligible to receive donations from Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season . Please spread the word among any federal employees you know!!!

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14) Does Your Group Or Organization Need Inspiring and Effective Presentations?

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