Become a Volunteer

CASA of Franklin County recruits and trains community members as volunteers to be sworn in as court appointed special advocates to represent in court the best interests of the children going through abuse and neglect cases in the Franklin County Juvenile Courts.

What does a CASA GAL do?

The CASA/GAL perform actions or functions to protect the best interest of the child including:

	Investigation You carry out an objective examination of the situation, including relevant history, environment, relationships, and the needs of the child.
	Facilitation You identify resources and services for the child and facilitate a collaborative relationship between all parties involved in the case, helping to create a situation in which the child's needs can be met.
	Advocacy You speak up for the child by making recommendations regarding the child's best interest in a written court report.
	Monitoring You keep track of whether the orders of the court and the plans of the child protective services agency are carried out, and you report to the court or collaborate with the child protective services agency when any of the parties do not follow those orders and plans.

Commitment to be a CASA/GAL

Many prospective volunteers ask about the time commitment to be a CASA/GAL. People from all walks of life are able to fit CASA into their schedules, including full-time 9-5 professionals and full-time stay-at-home parents!

Volunteers typically carry one to two cases at a time, starting with just one case as a new GAL. A "case" is a child or sibling group of children who are involved in the system, and usually involves 1 - 4 kids.
We estimate that each case takes 7-15 hours of time commitment/ month, with this amount often being higher for the first month or so after new case assignment.
A "case" usually can last up to two years (and in some rarer cases, longer...) and we ask for a commitment for at least the life of your first case.
Many of the volunteer duties can be scheduled at your own convenience. This includes home visits, note-taking, report-writing, conference with CASA staff, meetings with professionals, and most record review.
Court hearings are held during business hours, and the volunteer should have at least enough flexibility in his/her schedule to attend hearings once every few months for a few hours. The good news is that the CASA/GAL volunteer has input into hearing dates and times, and is given weeks or months notice for most hearing dates!

Ready to get started advocating for children as a CASA Guardian ad Litem? Fill out an application:

CLICK TO APPLY

Apply to be a Volunteer:

Complete our online volunteer application.

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Requirements to be a GAL:

Must be 21 years of age at the completion of training.
Must complete a background check and fingerprint screening.
Must complete 40 hours of hybrid training both in-person and virtual, in order to be sworn in as a GAL
Must be able to provide the CASA office with three non-family personal references.
Must complete 12 hours of in-service continuing education (CE) or training that CASA can help provide per year.
Must be able to complete between 7-15 hours per month towards work/time related to your case and visit with your child at least once a month.
Minimum 2-year commitment.
Must have reliable access to a vehicle they can legally operate.
Must collaborate with their CASA attorney and CASA manager working the case as support with them.
Must keep reliable records and notes uploaded to shared notes system as well as complete court reports when required for a hearing.
Must be able to attend a handful of hearings every year related to your case when given enough notice to do so.