PHOENIX – World Teacher Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 5, and CASA of Arizona wants to thank teachers for the significant impact they make on the lives of children and for working with CASA volunteers throughout Arizona.
CASA volunteers are Court Appointed Special Advocates who are appointed by a judge to speak on behalf of a child in foster care. When a child is placed in foster care, they benefit from having a dedicated individual to advocate for them while going through the foster care system. As a CASA you will meet one/one with the teachers to ensure the child’s needs and wants are being heard in and outside of the classroom.
Teachers work with the CASA’s by sharing their expertise and the child’s needs and wants to the CASA volunteer, both effectively advocating for the child. CASAs then communicate those needs to the court ensuring the child’s voice is being heard.
Teachers make a world of impact and CASA volunteers know how hard things would be without the involvement of teachers.
CASA volunteers do not need any prior special training and come from all walks of life. Anyone 21 years of age or older, who can pass a thorough background check and complete 30 hours of training, is encouraged to apply.
Another way to get involved is a program with similar requirements called the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) in which volunteers are appointed by the court to a 5-member panel that meets virtually one weekday per month to review the cases of children in foster care to make recommendations to the court regarding the best interest of the youth involved.
