New York Court Approved Special Advocate (CASA) is a volunteer program in which individuals are appointed by the court to act as advocates for children in the foster care system. Cases are specifically trained to represent the best interests of the child in court, and to make sure the child is receiving the services needed to reach permanency. Volunteer Job Description: CASA volunteers are appointed by the court to serve as independent, court-appointed advocates for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Cases are responsible for providing the court with an objective and unbiased report on the child's best interests. This includes researching the child's background and current situation, advocating for the child's needs, and making recommendations to the court. The 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions: 1. What is the role of a CASA volunteer? 2. How do I become a CASA volunteer? 3. What are the qualifications for being a CASA volunteer? 4. What type of training do CASA volunteers receive? 5. What is the time commitment for a CASA volunteer? 6. How long is the CASA volunteer assignment? 7. What support is available to CASA volunteers? 8. What happens to the child after the CASA volunteer assignment is completed? 9. What is the long-term impact of CASA volunteer work? 10. What can I do to help support the CASA program?