How are individuals selected to participate in the Pre-Service training?
Before each training cycle, there are usually 20-30 people who contact CASA and express an interest in volunteering. Of those contacts, L.M. CASA must decline several because their current position or status makes it a conflict of interest to be a CASA. A CASA cannot be a current foster parent, an employee of a group home or residential treatment center for foster children, in the process of adopting a child through the dependency system, or involved in a dependency court matter. Some contacts realize they do not have sufficient time to devote to being a CASA. After the application and interview stage, L.M. CASA invites 10-12 individuals to participate in the Pre-Service CASA training. Classes have been held in the comfortable living room of the Children’s Advocacy Center. CASA Trainees get to know each other well during the course of the ten weeks and they develop a bond that continues throughout their time as a CASA Volunteer.
