1. Attend an information session (Optional)
Sign up to attend a free virtual information session! If you already know you’re ready to be a CASA volunteer, you can skip this step.
CASA volunteers are ordinary people who step forward to advocate in New Hampshire’s court system for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Volunteers spend time getting to know the child or children they are working with and gather information from the important adults in each child’s life so they may make qualified, unbiased recommendations to a judge about what they believe to be in the best interests of the child.
What Our Volunteers Do
“I became a CASA volunteer thinking I would change the life of a child or two, and I know that I have. What I never expected was how much they would change mine.” — A CASA Volunteer Advocate
Our volunteers help change a child’s story from one of abuse or neglect, to stability and security. Volunteers:
- Spend quality time getting to know the child on their case
- Speak regularly with parents, relatives, foster parents, social workers, teachers and medical providers
- Identify any unmet needs of the child and determine solutions with child’s support team
- Write a court reports, attend court hearings and speak to the judge about the child’s progress
Volunteers spend about 10-15 hours a month on their case, with more time spent in the first 90 days of the case assignment. They stay with the case until the child is in a safe, permanent home or another permanent solution is in place.
Six Steps to Becoming a CASA Volunteer Advocate
2. Submit Your Application
CASA volunteers must apply before they can participate in training. Complete your application today!
3. Interview
This interview allows us to learn more about each other. All interviews are currently being held via Zoom.
4. Attend Training
All volunteers receive 40 hours of comprehensive pre-service training (presented virtually during COVID).
5. Meet Your Program Manager
After your training, you will be assigned a Program Manager who will help you throughout your CASA service.
6. Advocate for a Child
You’ve completed training and passed the required background checks. Now you’re ready to change a child’s story!
Questions?
Read our FAQs to learn more about the role of a CASA volunteer. Or if you have more specific questions please call us at 800-626-4600 or send us an email.
Meet Our Recruitment & Program Directors
Diane Valladares
Recruitment Director
Bernadette Melton-Plante
Senior Program Director
Jonelle Gaffney
Program Director
Erin Boylan
Program Director
Not Sure If You’re Ready?
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