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What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate?
A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate, someone who stands up for the children who otherwise are unable to voice their needs themselves. Imagine the experience of children who are removed from their home, their family, their siblings, and everything they know and care about. They find themselves in a world filled with social workers, lawyers, judges, and courtrooms where life-altering decisions are made on their behalf.
Youth Heartline recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers who advocate on behalf of abused and neglected youth who are trauma-impacted, experiencing hardship, or who need extra support. CASA volunteers build relationships with the children they advocate for by meeting regularly with them. As they get to know their assigned CASA child(ren), they make observations and write reports directly to the judge with recommendations for what's in the child's best interests.
CASA volunteers come from every walk of life and share a commitment to improving children's lives, a willingness to learn and an open mind towards life experiences different from their own. No specific education, experience or background is needed. Each volunteer's life experiences bring something unique to enrich a child's life. We are assigned to cases moving through the child welfare system and advocate strongly to help ensure each child is in a safe, secure home. They get to know the child while also gathering information from the child's family, teachers, doctors, therapists, caregivers, and anyone else involved in the child's life to make independent, informed recommendations to help the judge decide what's best for the child.
In Colfax, Taos, Union, Guadalupe, Mora, & San Miguel Counties, CASA volunteers serve as a sworn advocate of the court, entitled to access information about the child's situation and required to make reports to the court in the child's best interest. Our program succeeds with help from dedicated staff, caring volunteers, and generous donors.
A few hours of your time each week can make a world of difference to one of these children.
CASA volunteers are ordinary people who do extraordinary things for New Mexico’s most vulnerable children. Be One!​
2 Minute video on Introduction to CASA:
3 minute video on The Role of a CASA:
Requirements of Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate
As a CASA volunteer, there are certain requirements you must meet prior to being appointed to a case with a foster child.
A CASA Advocate is Required to:
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Be 21 years of age or older
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Attend a one-hour CASA orientation
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Complete a volunteer application
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Participate in a screening interview with CASA staff
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Successfully pass a criminal background check and provide documentation of a safe driving record
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Attend all training sessions and scheduled court tours
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Complete a 30-hour online, guided training
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Participate in a swearing-in ceremony conducted by the presiding County Juvenile Court Judge
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Meet with your CASA Case Coordinator to receive your case assignment and to schedule an introduction to the child and other parties involved in the case
CASA Best-Interest Advocacy
CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Here's what that means.
LEARN
Learn all you can about the child and his or her family and life.
ENGAGE
Engage with the child during regular visits.
RECOMMEND
Speak up for the child's best interests in court.
Make recommendations regarding the child's placement and needed services, and monitor the child's situation until the case is released by the court.
COLLABORATE
Collaborate with others to ensure that necessary services are provided and are in the child's best interest
REPORT
Report what you have learned and observed to the court.
Court-Appointed Special Advocate Training Schedule
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Training to become a court-appointed special advocate consists of 6 hours of classroom instruction plus 23 hours of independent study through the Youth Heartline Curriculum, and 1 hour of courtroom observation for a total of 30 hours. Training takes place online to include all advocates across 6 counties, with course material taught by Youth Heartline staff.
Once fully trained, an additional 12 hours per year of continuing education is required to maintain an active volunteer. In-service opportunities are listed on our continuing education page on our website.
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