Voices for Children is the only nonprofit organization in San Diego County that is designated by the Court to recruit, train and manage CASAs (Court-appointed special advocates) and provide CASAs to foster children.
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Today, nearly 5,000 children are in San Diego's foster care system. Many live in constant crisis and most feel very much alone. Until they find their CASA.
CASAs are volunteers, uniquely trained to advocate for foster children:
in the courtroom, where they influence the child's future
in the classroom, where they monitor the child's education
in the community, where they ensure the child's needs are met
Because of the unique relationships formed between CASAs and their assigned foster children, many volunteers find that their service is the experience of a lifetime. Like the children they support, CASAs too will never be the same.
Imagine what you can do for an abused, neglected or abandoned child. Imagine being the one ‘sure thing,' the one person in a child's life who is not paid to be there.
If you are ready to begin the role of a lifetime, become a CASA with Voices for Children.
How do I become a CASA?
The first step to becoming a CASA is by filling out an application and attending an Information Session. These take place every month at locations throughout San Diego County.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Monday, March 12, 2012
5:30-7:00pm (Central San Diego)
Please call for location.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
10:00-11:30am (Ramona)
Ramona Branch Library
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
5:30-7:00pm (Central San Diego)
Please call for location.
To reserve your space and learn more about upcoming sessions, contact Susan Smith, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator, at (858) 598-2235 or via
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.
Please note: Information sessions are not held at our Meadow Lark Drive address.
Your Volunteer Application, including a one-page biography, may be submitted in advance of your attendance at an information session, but must be submitted following your attendance and before the next step in the process, a personal interview with a Voices for Children staff member.
CLICK HERE to view heartwarming interviews with CASAs
Training Overview
If accepted into the CASA program, you will participate in a comprehensive training known as "Advocate University." There is no charge for your training but we do request $50 for materials. Advocate University includes approximately 35 hours of classroom and eLearning training, and the observation of a session of juvenile dependency court. The entire training program can be completed within a few weeks and the classes take place during the week, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Training topics
Depending upon the volunteer position, training topics may include: *Introduction to Voices for Children *Introduction to Court Files *Role of the Social Worker *Dependency Law *Diversity *Relationship Building *Policies & Procedures *Child Development *Domestic Violence & Substance Abuse *Education & the Foster Child *Courtroom Procedures *Teen Issues *Court Report Writing
Upcoming training sessions:
March 8-27, 2012 (evenings 5:30-8:30pm)
March 10 and 24 (special session, 2-Saturdays, 8:00am-5:00pm)
April 10-26 (evenings 5:30-8:30pm)
For more information about becoming a CASA or the training process, please contact Susan Smith, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator, at (858) 598-2235 or via
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.
Advocate University is made possible, in part, thanks to generous support from the Galinson Family Foundation and the Weingart Foundation. Voices for Children is a private, nonprofit organization that depends on the philanthropic support of individuals, foundations, corporations, and government. We are especially grateful to the Leichtag Foundation, the Price Charitable Fund, and the County of San Diego for support of our volunteer CASA training programs.
