Become a CASA Volunteer

Be the Person Who Pays Attention

When a child enters foster care, everything can change quickly.

They may be sleeping in a different bed, riding to a different school, missing people they love, and trying to understand what is happening around them.

At the same time, adults are making major decisions about where they will live, who they will see, what support they need, and what comes next. While court hearings, visits, services, and case plans are moving around them, a child needs someone who will pay attention to the details.

They need a CASA volunteer.

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What does a CASA Volunteer Do?

CASA volunteers are trained community members who advocate for children and families involved in the child welfare system in Milam County.

A CASA volunteer may become one of the consistent people in a child’s life during a time of big changes. They visit, listen, ask questions, and learn from the child, parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, caseworkers, and providers.

Through that relationship and information-gathering, CASA volunteers help make sure the child’s needs, voice, safety, and best interests are never overlooked.

This is just one example of the difference a CASA volunteer can make in a child’s life.

I’m ready to start!

connect

Visit the child every month and get to know the people connected to their life.

learn

Ask thoughtful questions and learn from the people who know the child and family.

advocate

Make recommendations focused on the child’s safety, well-being, and best interests.

how to become a casa volunteer in Milam county

You do not have to walk in knowing everything. CASA of Milam County will train and support you, but volunteers do need to meet basic requirements before being assigned to a case.

To become a CASA volunteer, you’ll need to:

Be at least 21 years old
Complete an application
Meet with CASA staff
Pass required background checks
Complete pre-service training
Be sworn in by the court
Keep in regular contact with CASA staff
Protect confidential information
Follow CASA policies and court expectations

Start the casa volunteer application

CASA Volunteer faq

We know you may have questions before applying, and that’s okay! Here are a few of the questions we hear most often from people thinking about becoming a CASA volunteer.

A good CASA volunteer is dependable, respectful, objective, and willing to learn. CASA volunteers listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, protect confidentiality, communicate consistently, and follow through.

No. CASA volunteers are child-focused, but they also connect with the people involved in the child’s life. That may include parents, relatives, caregivers, teachers, caseworkers, therapists, attorneys, and other providers. Learning from those people helps the volunteer better understand the child’s needs and support system.

Yes. Many CASA volunteers work full-time. The schedule can vary by case, but volunteers need to be able to communicate consistently, visit the child regularly, attend important meetings when possible, and complete documentation.

Yes! CASA of Milam County provides pre-service training before volunteers are assigned to a case. Training covers the CASA role, child welfare, court process, documentation, confidentiality, trauma-informed advocacy, and working with children and families.

For more information about volunteering with CASA of Milam County, email rachel.owens@milamcountycasa.org.

About Us

Our Mission

CASA of Milam County is to provide trained court-appointed advocates for abused and neglected children in CPS care; to represent those children in court through collaboration with family members, key agencies, legal counsel, as well as community resources, and to ensure the child has a voice. The ultimate goal of CASA of Milam County is to ensure safe reunification of child(ren) with parents/family or placement with a permanent adoptive family.

Learn More about Who We are

CASA of Milam County