Overview: CASA 101 offers a glimpse into the work of potential advocates
The Court Appointed Special Advocate of Jefferson and Gilpin counties is recruiting volunteers. CASA 101 sessions are one-hour programs held on the first Tuesday of the month from September to December designed for anyone interested in joining the organization.
The Court Appointed Special Advocate of Jefferson and Gilpin counties is recruiting volunteers. CASA 101 sessions are one-hour programs held on the first Tuesday of the month from September to December designed for anyone interested in joining the organization.
“We are still in real need of individuals who can give of their time to help a traumatized child,” said Leah Varnell, executive director of CASA Jeffco/Gilpin. “The time our volunteers spend helps give the court an accurate view of a child’s needs and support the child when they need it most.”
According to Varnell, CASA Jeffco/Gilpin has over 300 workers on cases. However, that is only 45% of the cases with children who need an advocate. She explained that it is more than sitting in court with a child.
“The beauty of CASA and the whole premise behind CASA in and of itself is we are the one stable person and place within that child’s life,” Varnell said. “They can be guaranteed that we’re going to show up. The caseworker may not, and caseworkers get changed. The guardian ad litem may change. But the CASA is going to be there from start to finish.”
Varnell said that some kids were surprised when she kept coming back.
“And I’ve had that with kids when they’ve asked, ‘What are you doing here?’ I said, ‘I told you I was coming.’ And they said, ‘But you came,” she recalled.
The CASA 101 sessions are all about providing potential advocates with information about the service and the kids they will help.
“The CASA 101 programs provide background on the issue of abuse and neglect in the community and the ways that CASA advocates help children as they navigate the court system,” the CASA of Jeffco/Gilpin announcement stated.
“What CASA really brings to the table is that constant, consistent, reliable support, that you may not have with other organizations, that you may not have in other situations,” Varnell said. “And that’s at the core of what CASA does whether it’s a court case or not at all.”
The sessions are held virtually and in person from 5-6 p.m. on Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 9.
The 101 class is not the training for CASA, it’s merely an information session. Training consists of 35 hours of in-class instruction over the course of three weeks. Home study and in-person meetings are also required.
For more information on the in-person location or to register for a session go to the CASA 101 signup sheet or email Audrey Miklitsch at audrey@casajeffcogilpin.com.