Volunteer

Speak up for a child who’s been abused or neglected.

Become a CASA volunteer.

Imagine the experience of children who are removed from their homes because the people responsible for protecting them have not. These children find themselves in a world filled with social workers, lawyers, judges, and courtrooms where life-altering decisions are made on their behalf.
A CASA volunteer is a court-appointed, trained and committed adult who ensures that each child’s individual needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system. They get to know the child while also gathering information from the child’s family, teachers, doctors, caregivers and anyone else involved in the child’s life in order to make independent and informed recommendations to help the judge decide what’s best for the child. CASA volunteers come from every walk of life and share a commitment to improving children’s lives, a willingness to learn, and an open mind towards life experiences different from their own.
For children who’ve been abused or neglected, CASA means having a home instead of feeling lost and being a priority instead of feeling invisible. For volunteers, CASA is a life-changing experience that makes our community a better place.
If you are looking for a meaningful and enriching volunteer opportunity in Williamson County and want to do something about child abuse, CASA is right for you. Our vision is to see that every child in Williamson County have a safe, permanent home. We hope you decide to join our community of volunteers and help ensure that every child has an adult they can rely on.
Become a
CASA
To become a CASA means you:
  • Are a mature, responsible adult, at least 21 years old
  • Care about children and have a real desire to advocate for their best interests
  • Can talk to people who are having problems

CASA of Williamson County’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity is an important part of our core values. In order to provide the best quality advocacy for children in our community, we believe that we must be responsive to the needs of everyone who may provide, receive or be affected by our services. To that end, all policies, practices, and recommendations are administered without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, gender identity and gender expression, marital status, physical abilities or national origin.

Minimum requirements to become a CASA:
  • Have the time to commit (approximately 10-15 hours monthly, for a minimum of 18 months)
  • Complete an application and provide three references
  • Provide a copy of a valid drivers license and current auto insurance
  • Participate in an in-person interview
  • Pass FBI Fingerprint background check
  • Pass a Department of Family and Protective Services background check
  • Be accepted into and successfully complete Pre-Service Training
  • Be administered an Oath by a Judge at a Swearing-In Ceremony
Next Step:
  • Contact our office for the next orientation session to learn about “The Secret Life of a CASA Volunteer”.
    • Call us at 512-868-2822 or email our Director of Recruitment and Education.
Training
for
Volunteer
Candidates
How do I become a CASA Volunteer?
  • Submit an inquiry to express your interest in the form on the right or submit your Volunteer Application here
  • Be able to provide 3 non-related references
  • Provide a copy of your Driver’s License and proof of auto insurance
  • Participate in an in-person interview
  • Be accepted into and successfully complete Pre-Service Training
  • Be administered an Oath by a Judge at a Swearing-In Ceremony
What does Pre-Service Training consist of?
  • Pre-Service Training sessions occur 3 times a year (Sessions typically begin in January, June, and September)
  • Blended Curriculum with an online classroom and in-person sessions
  • Training occurs over a 6 week period
  • In-person sessions are typically held from 6:00-9:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday evenings
  • Court observation
  • An investment of about 33 hours to complete
What information will be covered in Pre-Service Training?
  • Role of a CASA Volunteer
  • Texas Laws regarding Child Welfare
  • Topics include: mental health, substance abuse, child development, engaging families, definitions of child abuse/neglect
  • Court report writing
  • Policies and Procedures
Volunteer
Continuing
Education
What are the continuing education guidelines?
All CASA Volunteers are required to have 12 hours of continuing education per calendar year.  Volunteers are encouraged to diversify the source of continuing education hours.  All continuing education hours must be recorded on the monthly volunteer activity sheet and summary reports should be sent to the Director of Recruitment and Education.

The summaries are only required to report continuing education that is not completed directly with our organization or if certificates are not provided through the source of the training.

What qualifies as continuing education?
  • Reading approved books and magazine articles and turning in required reports
  • Attending Advocate’s Academy
  • Attending approved conferences & classes
  • Viewing webinars and turning in required reports
  • Assisting in pre-service training
  • Watching approved movies and turning in required reports
  • Independent Research for Unique Case Circumstance
How are credit hours awarded?
  • Read an approved book and turn in a written summary. (100 pages = 1 hour of continuing education)
  • Magazine and newsletters related to child advocacy and turn in a written summary. One hour per article
  • Advocate’s Academy – 2 hours
  • Webinars – Written summary – 1 hour
  • Conference/Training – Hours equal to time spent in a conference. Send the certificate to Director of Recruitment and Education
  • Assisting in pre-service training – Hours equal to time spent at training
  • Applicable movie/documentary with written summary – 2 hours
  • Other training as approved by Director of Recruitment and Education
What is the Advocates Academy for volunteers?
The In-service events are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month except for, July,  November, and December.  Our events start at 6 pm and end at 8 pm

Due to our increase in volunteers please RSVP to the Advocates Academy events link. We need to get an accurate count so that we can make appropriate room arrangements.

Our alternate room location is the Community Rooms located at 2423 Williams Drive, Suite 101 Georgetown, TX 78628.  The rooms are located next to the Lone Star Circle of Care clinic.

 Click here for map

Other
Volunteer
Options
What are some other non-advocate volunteer opportunities?
Non-advocate volunteering on an event committee is a great way to support and get to know CASA of Williamson County, TX, especially if you don’t think volunteering as an advocate is right for you at this time.

Join CASA as we spread awareness in the community!! CASA on Tour takes part in local activities like the Zest Fest in TaylorThe Red Poppy Festival in GeorgetownThe Round Rock Chalk WalkFable Fest in Cedar Park, healthcare fairs and much more. For more information, please call us at 512-868-2822 or email our Director of Recruitment.

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