Make a Difference in the Life of A Child in Foster Care.

The Foster Care system is incredibly overwhelmed. With the best of intentions, social workers simply can't spend enough time on each case - with each child - to really know what they want - what they need. That's where a CASA steps in.

A CASA works with one child or youth. Spending time with them; getting to know them; finding out what they need; making sure their voice is heard. Making sure that child doesn't fall through the cracks in the system.

A CASA becomes a caring and on-going presence in a child's life. Very often, the CASA is the only consistent adult in that child's or youth's life while they are in foster care.

Currently there are over 2400 children in the foster care system in San Francisco. For many reasons, there is a tremendously disproportionate representation of African Americans in San Francisco's foster care system.

It's SO important for these children to have positive role models and support from their own communities. A CASA's involvement impacts the child or youth for a lifetime and for generations to come...

The San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (SFCASA) serves children who have been victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment and placed under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Juvenile Dependency Court. SFCASA (one of more than 900 affiliated programs around the country) recruits, screens, trains, and supervises volunteers from San Francisco’s diverse communities to become both advocates and mentors for court-dependent children.
Come find out more about the role of a CASA volunteer at an orientation.

CASA Volunteers

• take responsibility for one child, or in some cases, siblings, whom they visit on a regular (usually weekly) basis.
• support the child throughout the court proceedings and explain these proceedings to the child.
• establish a relationship with the child to better understand the child’s needs and desires.
• review available records regarding the child’s family history, school behavior, medical or mental health history, etc.
• identify and explore potential resources that will facilitate family preservation, early family reunification, or alternative family planning.
• communicate the child’s needs to the court in written reports and recommendations.
• ensure that the court-approved plans for the child are being implemented.
• investigate the interests of the child in judicial or administrative proceedings outside of juvenile court.
• communicate and coordinate efforts with the child’s social worker, attorney, and other professionals involved in the child’s case.
• spend an average of two to four hours per week on their cases, visiting with their child and advocating for services.
  
  
• Download, print, and fill out the Volunteer Application Form from our website www.sfcasa.org.
  
  
Mail completed form to:

21 and over. Please check our website www.sfcasa.org for upcoming 45-minute information sessions. We offer 4 info sessions a month. They are a great way to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a CASA volunteer, learn about the application process, and get any questions you may have answered. It is not a requirement, but we suggest bringing a complete Volunteer Application (also found at www.sfcasa.org)

We offer 4 training cycles a year. If you are interested in being considered for the Upcoming Training program please RSVP to karey@sfcasa.org for one of our 45-minute information sessions. Please check our website for times and locations.

This opportunity is sponsored by: San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocate Program

We need volunteers who are free at these times

Weekly

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers

Adults (26-54) Court-appointed Adults (55+) Individual

Contact Person:
Kelley Mullin, Training And Recruitment Coordinator, (phone), (email)

View all agency contacts

Address:

100 Bush Street Suite 650 San Francisco, CA 94104 (See a map)

Directions:

We are located at the corner of Battery and Bush.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Montgomery Bart/Muni,   Walk distance (in minutes): 3   Nearest Bus Stop: Multiple Major Routes, 3 minute walk

Web Site: http://www.sfcasa.org