Welcome to the [location] CASA Information Meeting

Introductions CASA Staff [NAME], Program Coordinator [NAME], Program Coordinator [Location] CASA Please share your name and how you heard about the CASA program Please share your name and how you heard about the CASA program

Today’s Meeting Share roles and responsibilities of a CASA volunteer. Share roles and responsibilities of a CASA volunteer. Watch the DVD titled “Unpacking Hope”. Watch the DVD titled “Unpacking Hope”. Answer questions you may have. Answer questions you may have. Is CASA the right match for you? Is CASA the right match for you?

The Beginning… In 1977, Judge David Soukup of Seattle, Washington dreamed of using citizen volunteers to advocate for children in dependency court. In 1977, Judge David Soukup of Seattle, Washington dreamed of using citizen volunteers to advocate for children in dependency court. He founded the CASA program, beginning a nationwide grassroots movement that is over 70,000 strong today. He founded the CASA program, beginning a nationwide grassroots movement that is over 70,000 strong today. His vision allowed for ordinary people to focus solely on a child’s best interest. His vision allowed for ordinary people to focus solely on a child’s best interest.

Alaska History Alaska CASA began in CASA programs are now in Anchorage, Palmer, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai and Bethel. Alaska CASA began in CASA programs are now in Anchorage, Palmer, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai and Bethel. Alaska CASA is administered through the Office of Public Advocacy, Department of Administration, State of Alaska. Alaska CASA is administered through the Office of Public Advocacy, Department of Administration, State of Alaska. [Location] CASA began in [Year]. [Location] CASA began in [Year].

Who are CASA volunteers? Everyday people who care about youth Everyday people who care about youth Come from all backgrounds and specialties—no legal experience required Come from all backgrounds and specialties—no legal experience required Many work full time, other are students or retired Many work full time, other are students or retired Screened, trained, and supported by professional program staff Screened, trained, and supported by professional program staff

What does a CASA volunteer do? Investigate Investigate Facilitate Facilitate Advocate Advocate Monitor Monitor

A CASA volunteer is not  A best friend or “Big Brother/Big Sister”  A babysitter  A parent advocate  An attorney representing only what the youth wants  A social worker representing the position of OCS or the Tribe  Responsible for providing transportation to family contact appointments  Responsible for supervising family contact between parents and youth  Required to take youth on outings

What does it take? Commitment Commitment Objectivity Objectivity Perseverance and dedication Perseverance and dedication Good communication skills Good communication skills Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality

Confidentiality & Conflicts Confidentiality Confidentiality CASA volunteers may not share case information with anyone outside the case (e.g. family, friends, work colleagues) CASA volunteers may not share case information with anyone outside the case (e.g. family, friends, work colleagues) CASA volunteers sign a Confidentiality Agreement CASA volunteers sign a Confidentiality Agreement Conflict of Interest Conflict of Interest CASA volunteers may not be closely related to the child or the family CASA volunteers may not be closely related to the child or the family CASA volunteers may not know the child or the family well (either personally or professionally) CASA volunteers may not know the child or the family well (either personally or professionally)

Essential Advocate Expectations Twice a month contact with child Twice a month contact with child Communicate monthly with staff Communicate monthly with staff Participate in court hearings and other case meetings Participate in court hearings and other case meetings Complete monthly reporting requirements Complete monthly reporting requirements Remain an active advocate until case closure Remain an active advocate until case closure

How does a CASA volunteer get a State Court case? Report of suspected child abuse/neglect Report of suspected child abuse/neglect OCS investigation OCS investigation Court intervention Court intervention GAL appointed by the court GAL appointed by the court CASA volunteer assigned to a case CASA volunteer assigned to a case

Why are CASA volunteers needed? High rates of child abuse/neglect in Alaska High rates of child abuse/neglect in Alaska High caseloads for professionals High caseloads for professionals CASA volunteers are assigned to less than 15% of all youth in custody CASA volunteers are assigned to less than 15% of all youth in custody CASA volunteers improve case outcomes CASA volunteers improve case outcomes

Cultural Competence: Why is it important? Work with a wide range of people; their backgrounds may not be similar to ours Work with a wide range of people; their backgrounds may not be similar to ours Youth may be separated from their culture and communities Youth may be separated from their culture and communities CASA volunteers can CASA volunteers can Support family connections Support family connections Locate cultural groups/activities/resources Locate cultural groups/activities/resources Advocate to preserve culture Advocate to preserve culture

Cultural Competence: Why is it important? Overrepresentation Overrepresentation High percentage of Alaska Native children and youth in custody High percentage of Alaska Native children and youth in custody Limited Alaska Native foster homes Limited Alaska Native foster homes Youth lose cultural identity Youth lose cultural identity Indian Child Welfare Act Indian Child Welfare Act

Is the CASA program right for me? Do I have the time? Do I have the time? Can I be objective? Can I be objective? Is this the way I want to help youth? Is this the way I want to help youth?

How do I become a CASA volunteer?  Attend an information meeting Submit a written application Submit a written application Participate in a personal interview Participate in a personal interview Undergo a background check Undergo a background check Personal references Personal references Child protection Child protection Criminal records Criminal records Complete core training course Complete core training course Attend court swearing-in Attend court swearing-in Accept case assignment Accept case assignment

Core Training Must attend all sessions Must attend all sessions Must complete all assigned work Must complete all assigned work Arrive on time; stay for entire session Arrive on time; stay for entire session Complete at least one court observation Complete at least one court observation

Permanency CASA volunteers work to ensure that a child’s time frame is in the forefront to achieving one of the following: Return to Parent Return to Parent Adoption Adoption Guardianship Guardianship Another permanent planned living arrangement Another permanent planned living arrangement

The Ending… Once permanency is achieved, the CASA volunteer says goodbye to the child, the family, the providers, the parties, the foster family and the courts. Once permanency is achieved, the CASA volunteer says goodbye to the child, the family, the providers, the parties, the foster family and the courts. The case closes! The case closes! The CASA volunteer is matched with a new case… The CASA volunteer is matched with a new case…

Fostering Futures Alaska Fostering Futures Alaska is an initiative launched by Alaska CASA in 2014, supported by a grant from the National CASA Association. Fostering Futures Alaska is an initiative launched by Alaska CASA in 2014, supported by a grant from the National CASA Association. The goal is to train and equip CASA volunteers from around the state to work alongside older foster youth to improve outcomes as the youth transition into adulthood. The goal is to train and equip CASA volunteers from around the state to work alongside older foster youth to improve outcomes as the youth transition into adulthood. Fostering Futures volunteers serve as a mentor in addition to an advocate. Fostering Futures volunteers serve as a mentor in addition to an advocate.

How Do I Become a Fostering Futures Volunteer? 1. Complete the screening and training process required to be sworn in as a CASA volunteer. 2. Fill out the one page supplemental application form for Fostering Futures Alaska. 3. Successfully complete the Fostering Futures training course. 4. Get matched with a foster youth (age 14 – 21).

Where Can I Learn More? Visit the Fostering Futures page on our website:

THANK YOU!

Questions?Contact: Valerie Dudley, Program Coordinator YK Delta Program