Volunteer FAQs - CASA Volunteer Work

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Volunteer FAQs - CASA Volunteer Work

Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have a collection of approximately one-hundred FAQs and their answers generated from the CASA of Arizona Advocacy Academy. Click on the category below and it will take you to a page with a list of FAQs pertaining to that category. Click on the specific FAQ and it will display the answer.

Child Development
Child Protection and the Legal System
Education
Foster Care and Adoption
Medical
Mental Health
Miscellaneous

CASA Volunteer Work



Q Can we take our CASA child with our family to a family outing? (i.e., Chuck E. Cheese or bowling) Q Should you buy clothes and gifts for CASA kids? Q What are the guidelines around touching and hugging CASA children? Q What happens if the parents won't let a CASA volunteer see the child? Q Have there been instances with parents confronting a CASA volunteer negatively? If so, how do you respond? Q How much notice do CASA volunteers get on court dates? Q How legally savvy do CASA Volunteers have to be? Q What happens if a child doesn't want to go with a CASA volunteer for a visit? Q Why and how often are CASA volunteers called to testify? Q I'm confused about "no therapeutic advice" - aren't we supposed to listen and empathize with their feelings? Q Are activities of a CASA volunteer tax deductible? If so, what things can be deducted? Q Can I take pictures and give them to the child in a scrapbook? Q What can a CASA volunteer do for a baby? For example, a CASA might take older kids to McDonalds - would they take the baby somewhere? If so, where? Q How many CASAs actually form a life-long friendship with a child as they grow into adulthood? Q Can you be a foster parent and a CASA volunteer? Q What happens when the CASA volunteer doesn't agree with DCS? Does DCS have priority in the case plan? Q Is it okay to discuss personal experiences? Q Can we drive parents to classes? Q Please explain "you are not the child's friend" vs. "you have to really know and care for the child". Q What happens if CASA volunteers are unavailable to attend a court date? Q What gives CASA volunteers the legal right to medical/psychological records, legal records, etc.? Q How much documentation do you do? Q How does a child get into the CASA system? How do they qualify? Q Do we need to have a court order in hand to speak with teachers, counselors, etc.? Q A lot has been done with children and animals, can a dog visit with a child? Can you take a child to the humane society to visit dogs and cats? Q Are there any challenges that a CASA volunteer may face with DCS case managers? Q How receptive are biological parents to CASA volunteers wanting to meet with them and answer questions? Q What should a CASA volunteer do if the child asks about religion and/or if he or she can attend a service with the CASA? Q What type of identification do we have and when do we need to show it? Q What is the best way to introduce the topic of contraception for sexually active teens? Q The lines between being a CASA volunteer and a counselor or being a CASA and a mentor are fuzzy. How do you make sure you're fulfilling your responsibilities without crossing the line? Q Can we use a state car to transport? Q How does a person involved in the case (child, parent, teacher, foster parent, etc.) get in touch with the CASA volunteer? Q Where does a CASA volunteer go to view the paperwork files from a DCS worker? Can copies of this paperwork be made for the CASA to have at home? Q What do CASA volunteers need to report when undocumented status is suspected? Q Can you only be a CASA volunteer in the county that you live in? Q Is it ever legal or appropriate to record an interview between a CASA volunteer and a principle individual in a child's case? Q Could you give me information about sibling visits? Q Is there a support group meeting via e-mail or phone on a monthly basis for volunteers to get together? Q How can I get additional training to be a CASA volunteer for babies? Q How do CASA volunteers get information regarding services that can be provided to the child or family such as transportation, financial aid for food/clothing, or insurance coverage? Q How do attorneys, DCS and the court relate to each other? May we have or see an organization chart? Q Are there special funds available, through the CASA program, if a child needs or would benefit from something over and above the norm? Q Do CASA volunteers get the agencies involved or is it the job of the court and/or DCS? Q Does the CASA volunteer always work with the same DCS case manager? Q If a fee is required to obtain a hard copy, do we need to request permission first? Q Are there regular training opportunities CASA volunteers, whether local or national? Q Can you be on Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) and be a CASA volunteer? Q Can we get a list of contact information for other CASA volunteers in our area? Q How can a CASA volunteer attend a Team Decision Making (TDM) if the court is not involved yet? Q Is there a list of services that DCS can provide that we can use to verify or make recommendations from? Q How do we know when we need hard copies of records for reports?

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CASA of Arizona is a program of the Dependent Children's Services Division of the Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts
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