Volunteer with CASA of Arizona
May is recognized as National Foster Care Awareness Month, and CASA of Arizona and the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) are seeking volunteers statewide to advocate for children in foster care. These children deserve a voice, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) and FCRB members serve as their voice in court.
When a child or siblings can no longer safely stay in their homes they are removed and placed into foster care. Currently in Arizona, there are approximately 8,800 children in foster care.
CASA of Arizona and the FCRB train volunteers to help these children navigate what is often an unfamiliar environment, new people in their life and/or a new school. These volunteers are highly trained and passionate about making a difference in and advocating for the children.
“I stand in awe of the passion and commitment each of our volunteers exhibits as they advocate for the child(ren) they serve. The circumstances that bring children into foster care are heart- breaking for everyone, especially the child(ren). Volunteers fill a void, meet a need, and provide a stable, caring voice for a child(ren) when everything else around them seems upside down,” explains Charlie Gray, CASA State Program Manager.
A CASA volunteer will get to know the child and every aspect involved in the dependency case, and then advocate for the best interest of the child to the judge. That information aids the judge in determining the best course of action for the child, while reunification remains the goal.
FCRB members volunteer to serve on a 5-member panel that meets online one weekday per month to review the cases of children in foster care. The Board reviews case materials and interviews parties associated with the child’s case and collectively submits recommendations to the judge based on the best interest of the child.
Each of Arizona’s 15 counties is seeking CASA and FCRB volunteers to meet the needs of children. Anyone 21 years of age or older, who can pass a thorough background check and complete training, is encouraged to apply.
To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer visit, AZCASAVolunteer.org. To learn more about becoming a FCRB volunteer or to watch a video about volunteering, visit, AZFCRB.org
