A family court judge rules that a child should be in protective custody (CPS) and assigns Child Advocates
of Fort Bend to the case. These children may be placed with relatives, in foster homes, in residential

treatment centers or in emergency shelters. We assign a CASA volunteer under the direction of a
volunteer supervisor to that child.

CASA volunteers are usually the only constant in these children's lives due to an overburdened child
welfare system. CPS caseworkers typically manage caseloads of over 60 children. A CASA volunteer is

assigned only one case which allows them to pay attention and not allow these children to be forgotten or
fall through the cracks of the legal system.

In 1977, Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup was repeatedly faced with a lack of information in
child welfare cases due to an overburdened CPS system. He appointed community volunteers to be

objective and represent the best interest of children and the CASA movement was born.
 

Volunteers come from all careers, cultures, educational backgrounds, ages, and experiences. The primary
requirements for being a CASA volunteer are that you are at least 21 years old, have a genuine interest in

the well being of children, are a proactive communicator and complete a 30 hour training course. In addition,
volunteers are objective, responsible, committed, and persistent and they understand the important role

they have in a child's life.
 

Yes – 45% of our CASA volunteers are employed.
 

The time commitment varies depending on the case. Volunteers are asked to visit the child once a month
(however many volunteers visit more often) and to take on a case for a year. Initially, the case may require

more of the volunteer's time while the volunteer is assessing the child's situation.
 

Contact Carol Thesing or check out www.becomeaCASA.org