Future
Volunteers

You Can Help Change a Child’s Story™

Our mission relies on caring, committed individuals from the community who want to make a positive and life-changing impact advocating for children and youth.

CASA addresses a critical need in the 17th Judicial District of Colorado.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteers are trained to represent the best interests of child victims of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and neglect who are currently in the child welfare system.

CASA Volunteers work alongside the child’s legal and professional team. They help ensure the child’s physical, mental, educational and emotional needs are being met, and advocate for the child in court, all while supporting them in their journey to find a safe and permanent home where they can thrive.

Hundreds of children are in need of a CASA Volunteer in Adams & Broomfield Counties each year.

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Who We Are

Our Volunteers provide a voice in court for at-risk children and youth.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA Volunteers are trained to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect, as well as for children who are chronically absent from school.

Our Volunteers are supervised and supported by CASA team members and work alongside the child’s legal and professional team. Through their advocacy, CASA Volunteers make a measurable impact on the trajectory of each child’s life.

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Ways to Volunteer

Dependency & Neglect

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CASA D&N Volunteers advocate for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect. They ensure the child’s physical, mental, educational, and emotional needs are being met and that they have the opportunity to thrive in a safe and permanent home.

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Ways to Volunteer

Truancy

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CASA Truancy Volunteers advocate for the educational interests of a child or youth. They work to identify barriers to school attendance, access community resources, and improve the student’s attendance and academic success.

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Ways to Volunteer

Family Engagement Advocate

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Family Engagement Advocates work with students at-risk of decreased academic engagement and success due to chronic absenteeism. Advocates visit regularly with students to learn what barriers to attendance exist, and then problem-solve with families to overcome them.

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In fiscal year 2024, our 219 CASA Volunteers contributed 11,267 hours of service to children and families in our community.

Getting Started

To learn more about becoming a volunteer, please select one of the following options.

Option 1: Set up a one-on-one meeting with Josie Martinez, Community Engagement Manager, at josie@casa17th.com.

Option 2: Attend an upcoming CASA 101 Information Session. These are held monthly over Zoom. Find an upcoming session here.

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FAQs

What is the role and responsibilities of a CASA Volunteer?

CASA Volunteers are appointed by Judges as Officers of the Court to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect and for children with a truancy case for chronic absenteeism. The primary responsibilities of a CASA Volunteer include:

  • Building a relationship with the child or children on their assigned case. CASA Volunteers plan visits with the child(ren) on their case at least twice per month.
  • Gathering information by reviewing documents and records, and conducting interviews with the children, family members, and professionals in their lives.
  • Documenting findings and providing written reports for court hearings.
  • Appearing in court to advocate for the child’s best interests.
  • Helping the child understand the court proceedings.
  • Collaborating with other professional team members on the case.
  • Recommending services to ensure that the children and their families are receiving adequate guidance and support; and reporting concerns about the child’s physical, mental, and emotional health, educational needs, academic performance and other issues to the appropriate professionals.
  • Monitoring case plans and court orders to make sure they are being followed and that mandated review hearings are being held.
  • Keeping the court informed and updated on developments with agencies and family members; and ensuring that appropriate motions are filed on behalf of the child so the court is made aware of any changes in the child’s situation.
What skills or expertise do I need to be a CASA Volunteer?

No special background, work experience, or education is required to become a CASA Volunteer. We encourage individuals from all cultures, professions, and educational backgrounds to volunteer. To be eligible to become a CASA Volunteer, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have lived in the United States for the past seven years
  • Complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Any past offenses will be evaluated according to the program’s standards for volunteers.
  • Complete 30 hours of pre-service training hours
  • Complete 12 hours of Continuing Education hours each year
  • Commit to serving on your case until case closure. The average length of a case is 18 months
  • Have the ability to spend approximately 10-15 hours/month on your case

Successful CASA Volunteers are mature, empathetic, collaborative, and confident. They have an ability to problem-solve and have strong written and verbal communication skills. They possess a willingness to learn, and are open-minded about others’ life experiences that are different from their own. They are able to do this work respectfully, compassionately, and in complete confidentiality.

We provide every individual accepted into our program with the training they need about courtroom procedures, social services, the child welfare system, child abuse and neglect, and other related topics.

How much time is involved in being a CASA Volunteer?

A volunteer can expect to spend 10-15 hours per month on an individual case. This is in addition to the 30 hours of pre-service training and 12 hours annually of Continuing Education.

How long of a commitment do you expect or require?

Volunteers are expected to dedicate themselves to a case until it is closed. The average case is open about 18 months.

What kind of support do you give your volunteers?

CASA Volunteers are supported every step of the way. A supervisor is assigned to each volunteer to answer questions, troubleshoot, and provide guidance. There are also ample online resources and continuing education opportunities so that no volunteer is ever on their own.

Steps to Become a Volunteer

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Apply Online
Fill out and submit your completed application online. Once you submit your application, our team will review it within 48 business hours.
Apply Online
Fill out and submit your completed application online. Once you submit your application, our team will review it within 48 business hours.
In-Person Interview
We will reach out to schedule an in-person interview with one of our Team Members at our office, located in the Adams County Human Services Center, 11860 Pecos Street, Westminster, CO 80234. The interview will last approximately one hour.
In-Person Interview
We will reach out to schedule an in-person interview with one of our Team Members at our office, located in the Adams County Human Services Center, 11860 Pecos Street, Westminster, CO 80234. The interview will last approximately one hour.
Background Check
Should you be invited to move forward, you will be able to secure your spot in an upcoming training class. Prior to training, you will be required to complete your background check paperwork and set up an appointment to complete your fingerprinting.
Background Check
Should you be invited to move forward, you will be able to secure your spot in an upcoming training class. Prior to training, you will be required to complete your background check paperwork and set up an appointment to complete your fingerprinting.
Training
Pre-Service Training is approximately 30 hours (15 hours of classroom work and 15 hours of homework). Training is offered five times per year, with one virtual class option.
Training
Pre-Service Training is approximately 30 hours (15 hours of classroom work and 15 hours of homework). Training is offered five times per year, with one virtual class option.
Swearing-In
Once you successfully complete training, you will be sworn-in as an officer of the court by one of the Judicial Officers in the 17th Judicial District. Friends and family members are welcome to attend this celebration!
Swearing-In
Once you successfully complete training, you will be sworn-in as an officer of the court by one of the Judicial Officers in the 17th Judicial District. Friends and family members are welcome to attend this celebration!
Case Assignment
You will meet with a CASA Advocate Supervisor and have a case assigned to you. Your supervisor will be there to support you every step of the way throughout your case.
Case Assignment
You will meet with a CASA Advocate Supervisor and have a case assigned to you. Your supervisor will be there to support you every step of the way throughout your case.
Any Questions?

Please contact Josie Martinez, Community Engagement Manager, at josie@casa17th.com.