Volunteer

Thousands of children in Baltimore City are in the foster care system due to abusive and neglectful homes.
We can’t control where these children come from, but we can impact where they go!

Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer
Don't wait  -- The children need your help

In the same amount of time you can do something ordinary, you can do something extraordinary. You can change the life of an abused or neglected child in foster care.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are volunteers who are appointed by a Judge to provide a consistent and caring adult who ensures that their assigned child’s educational, medical, social service and mental health needs are understood, that the Court hears what is in the child’s best interest, and that these children have plans for a permanent home in a timely manner.

Become a CASA of Baltimore Volunteer - Inquiry Form

With inaction we set these children up for failure. With action, we make a difference in the lives of these children.

What does a CASA Volunteer do?

CASA volunteers wear many hats:

Visitor: Volunteers develop an informal one-on-one relationship with the child, providing understanding, explanations of the complex court and child welfare systems, attention, and support.

Researcher: Volunteers engage in comprehensive investigations that include conducting personal interviews with family members and professionals involved with the child and reviewing records, documents and clinical data.

Reporter: Volunteers are responsible for providing the court with written reports for to each hearing.

Facilitator: Volunteers facilitate communication between the court, social workers, attorneys, therapists, teachers, etc., to ensure that all parties fulfill their obligations to the child in a timely manner.

Monitor: Volunteers are responsible for monitoring all court orders to ensure compliance by all parties and for informing the court of any changes in the child’s status that require modification of the court order.

A CASA volunteer must be:

• 21 years of age
• Complete required screening processes
• Participate in a pre-service interview and post-training interview
• Attend a 30+ hour training program including shadowing in Court