How to Help

Adult volunteer interacting with a young child during a play activity

Want to Help Change a Child's Story?

You Don't Have to be a Lawyer or a Social Worker.

You Just Have to Care.

There are many ways to make a difference for children experiencing abuse or neglect in Marion County. Become a CASA volunteer, support our mission through a donation, partner with us, or help spread the word. However you choose to help, you can be part of giving children a consistent voice and the opportunity for a safe, permanent home.

What's it Really Like to Advocate for a Child in Foster Care?

CASA advocacy means building a consistent relationship with a child, learning about their needs and circumstances, and speaking up for their best interests throughout their court case. It can be challenging, but volunteers receive training and ongoing support from CASA staff every step of the way.

Thank you to Texas CASA for allowing us to utilize their video to explain what a CASA's role is.

What Can I Expect as a CASA Volunteer

As a CASA volunteer, you'll take on several responsibilities throughout a child's court case. Your role may include:

Communicate with foster or kinship caregivers, biological parents, caseworkers, attorneys, the Guardian ad Litem, and service providers involved in the case.
Schedule regular visits with the child and their caregivers to build a relationship, understand the child's needs and circumstances, and learn about their wishes in an age-appropriate way.
Attend multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and share information relevant to the child's best interests.
Observe visits between parents and children when appropriate to the case.
Attend court hearings and provide written reports to the court about the child's circumstances, needs, and best interests.

Who Can Become a CASA Volunteer?

Superhero family walking down the road with CASA logos on their capes

No Cape Required.
Just a Willingness to Show Up.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. You don't need professional experience in law, social work, or child welfare. What matters is a commitment to learning, listening, showing up consistently, and advocating for a child who needs someone in their corner.

Be at least 21 years old
Complete required pre-service training and background checks
Be able to commit the time needed to build a consistent relationship with an assigned child, gather information, attend meetings and court hearings, and advocate for the child's best interests
Be dependable, compassionate, objective, and willing to speak up for a child's needs

Ready to Become a CASA Volunteer?

Ready to get started? Review the CASA volunteer role and requirements, then complete the CASA of Marion County Advocate Application to begin the process.

Apply to become a CASA volunteer and change a child’s story