Dubois County CASA has announced that with more cases of child abuse and neglect being filed they need additional volunteers. The volunteer opportunities they have open are for CASAs and Comfort Zone volunteers.
Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASAs are advocates for children who are a part of the legal system due to abuse or neglect. Responsibilities of a CASA include:
- Seeing the child face-to-face at least once every 30 days.
- Speaking with other people who are important in the child’s life such as family, placement, teachers, etc.
- Reading notes provided by visitation supervisors and therapists to get a good picture of what is going on in the child’s life.
- Attending court approximately once every 90 days and filing a court report before the hearing, making the child’s wishes known to the court, and making recommendations that are in the child’s best interest.
CASAs complete 30 hours of pre-service training and are fully supported by CASA staff as they work their cases. The amount of time a CASA spends on their cases varies but averages about 5 hours per month.
The Comfort Zone is a place where children, who have been removed from their homes are brought when the Department of Child Services does not immediately have a placement for them. While at the Comfort Zone, volunteers help the children choose a new duffle bag and items to fill it, such as new clothing, toiletries, a handmade quilt, and a stuffed animal. Simple food is also available for volunteers to prepare for the children and themselves.
Volunteers work in teams of two and take care of the children while DCS does their work in another part of the building. They can partner you with another volunteer, or spouses or friends can volunteer together. Some people volunteer weekly while others volunteer monthly. Volunteers are on call 24 hours at a time, from noon one day to noon the next. It is asked that while on call, you remain within 30 minutes of the Comfort Zone. Almost all removals occur during the daytime.
More information about becoming a Comfort Zone volunteer or CASA can be found on the CASA page at duboiscountyin.org.
If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate or Comfort Zone Volunteer, contact Deena Hubler at 812-639-0143.
You must be logged in to post a comment.