Child Advocates of Silicon Valley

Volunteer FAQ

Our volunteers are amazing. They’re dedicated, trustworthy and compassionate. But, we still need more volunteers to serve the hundreds of children on our wait list. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, and you have questions, read our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Who can be a CASA volunteer?
How much time is required?
How do I begin?
I'm not sure I can commit to being a CASA volunteer right now. Is there something else I can do to help?
What is a typical “month in the life” of a CASA Volunteer?
What if I do not like the case I am assigned?
Can I get a child that lives near me?
Will I be able to choose the child's age or gender?
I know a child in the juvenile dependency system. May I be assigned to her case?
Do I need special training to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate?
This sounds great, but how do I decide if it is right for me?
What if I have questions or need help once I have become an Advocate?

Who Can Be a CASA Volunteer?
No special skills are required to volunteer, only the desire and commitment to make a lifelong difference for an abused or neglected child. However, Advocates must be at least 21 years old. Our 450+ Advocates come from all walks of life. They range in age from 22 to 81 years old. Over 60 percent of our Advocates are working professionals. Some of their professions include chef, engineer, park ranger, reporter, dog trainer, teacher, physical therapist, pilot, CEO, driver, housekeeper, and pianist.
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How much time is required?
Volunteers in the CASA Program generally see a child on a regular basis, spending about 10 to 13 hours per month on volunteer responsibilities. Approximately twice a year, Advocates submit reports to the court and attend a court hearing regarding the child. Requirements are less for Visiting CASA volunteers. In order to ensure stability and constancy for the children we serve, CASA volunteers are asked for a commitment of 12 months in the core Advocate program and 6 months in the Visiting CASA project.
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How do I begin?
Your first step to becoming a CASA volunteer is to attend an orientation. This is your chance to learn more about the program, listen to Advocates speak about their experiences and have your questions answered.
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I'm not sure I can commit to being a CASA volunteer right now. Is there something else I can do to help?
There are many volunteer opportunities within Child Advocates that allow you to serve our children. For example, you can assist with activities for our advocate kids, help out in our office or get involved in fundraising projects for Child Advocates. Our Non Advocate Volunteers Program was created specifically for this purpose. In addition to volunteering, you can help support our programs financially. Any amount you can contribute helps sponsor a child who is being served.
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What are the typical "month in the life" activities of a CASA Volunteer?
As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), you could spend time on one or many of the following activities in a typical month:

Talking with your advocate child, listening to his or her experiences and feelings.
Spending time with your advocate child, participating in activities he or she enjoys.
Reading and reviewing case files about your advocate child.
Talking with your advocate child's parents as well as teachers, social workers and attorneys who work with the child's case.
Working with social services or your child's school to address a specific need.
Talking with your Advocate Supervisor to get help and guidance with any issues or questions you encounter while advocating for your child.

For more insight into being an Advocate, read our testimonials.
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What if I don't like the case I'm assigned? Can I get a child that lives near me? Will I be able to choose the child's age or gender?
Cases are not randomly assigned to Advocates; rather, Advocates work with our staff to choose a case that is right for them. We will select cases for you to read based on your personal preferences, but the decision as to which case you take is ultimately up to you.
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I know a child in the juvenile dependency system. May I be assigned to her case?
For confidentiality reasons, you are not allowed to be the Advocate of a child you know. However, there are hundreds of other children on our wait list that you can help!
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Do I need special training to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate?
Yes. Advocate trainees receive 30 hours (nine sessions) of initial training and 12 hours of additional training each year from professionals in the field of child welfare. You will learn about the child welfare system, how to work with children involved in the system, and other skills necessary to help your advocate child. Visit our Get Started section for more information.
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This sounds great, but how do I decide if it's right for me?
Orientation is offered several times a month to provide detailed information to prospective volunteers. Attending an Orientation gives you an opportunity to meet Advocates and hear their stories, and to ask questions of our volunteers and staff. There is no commitment involved in attending an orientation. See our schedule of upcoming Orientations.
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What if I have questions or need help once I become an Advocate?
Each Advocate is continuously supported by, and in contact with, one of our Advocate Supervisors, who are trained professionals with considerable experience in all aspects of Child Advocacy. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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