‍Do you have questions about CASA of Oklahoma County? Before you contact us, you might find your answers in the FAQ below. If your question isn’t answered here, please or visit an Open House.
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What is the history of the Oklahoma County CASA program?
Oklahoma County CASA was formed in the Fall of 1987. Our first class of child advocates was sworn in during the month of March of 1988. For our first 20 years we were under the Oklahoma County Juvenile Bureau. In July of 2008, we were established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and changed our name to CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc.  Our program is established in Oklahoma State Statute under §10A-1-1-105.

Why are CASA volunteers needed?
CASA Volunteers, often referred to as “eyes and ears” of the court, provide a unique perspective on Juvenile Deprived cases. For an over-burdened system, the entrance of a volunteer gathering information is immeasurably valuable. These cases are not simple, and the answers are not always obvious. A CASA volunteer’s purpose is to gather enough information to determine the best interest of the child and advocate for that best interest. The child bears no fault in their situation and has no choice but to trust the adults around them. Their CASA volunteer will ensure that their best interest is brought to the table and heard in court. It may be a recommendation regarding their permanency, more visitation with their siblings, or it could be something seemingly small like a new pair of glasses or trip to the dentist. There are cases where a child has no family and the only people in a child’s life are paid. This is a scary, chaotic time for a child. The entrance of a caring and consistent volunteer can be a powerful addition to their world.

What is the time commitment?
A typical case will occupy 3-5 hours of a volunteer’s time per week but varies case to case. A case with one child who lives locally will require less, but a larger family may require more. Our staff is very sensitive to the time each volunteer may have to give and offers them cases accordingly. We have CASA volunteers with jobs, their own children, and other commitments but who are still able to spare a few hours each month to impact a child’s life. We also have CASA volunteers who have more flexible schedules and are able to dive into larger cases. It takes CASA volunteers from all walks of life and backgrounds to serve the children of Oklahoma County! Pre-service training and court hearings are scheduled for specific days and times (with plenty of notice). When it comes to visiting children and communicating with other parties and professionals, the timing is very flexible so you can work it around the rest of your life.

What are the qualifications to be a CASA volunteer?
You might be wondering if you have to be a lawyer or have an advanced degree in order to volunteer with CASA. While these qualifications can be valuable in child advocacy, neither are necessary. CASA of Oklahoma County has volunteers from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds. The requirements are that the volunteer must be at least 21 years old, pass our screening process, and satisfactorily complete CASA pre-service training. The first step in the process is to complete our volunteer application. Our Director of Recruitment, Kathy, can privately answer any questions you have about the process and qualifications. Other restrictions can apply in certain circumstances, so it is best to complete our or call our Recruitment Director to ensure that you meet the requirements to volunteer.

If all qualifications are met, the applicant can begin volunteer training. CASA volunteers must complete 32 hours of in-person and online training over the course of 6 weeks. Weekly 3-hour in-person sessions are offered either in the afternoon or in the evening, and trainees can choose which time best fits their schedule.

Do I go to Court?
Yes. CASA volunteers are present at each hearing and submit a court report in advance. Don’t worry – each CASA volunteer is assigned to a staff person who will walk you through each step. Your “Advocacy Supervisor” will stand right next to you in court and ensure you are well-prepared and ready. Most CASA volunteers find that court is not intimidating at all – the Judge is interested in hearing the information you bring to the table!

Do I have a relationship with the child or children on the case?
Definitely. A CASA volunteer is required to see a child face-to-face at the child’s home placement at least once per month. Having first-hand knowledge of the child’s situation and well-being is important to advocate for their best interest. When you develop trust, the child usually will open up. Information given to you directly from the child will have a distinct impact on the decisions being made for him or her. A consistent, caring adult can have a remarkable effect on the life of a child in foster care.

Can you tell me more about the children you serve?
During FY2024, CASA of Oklahoma County’s 247 volunteers served 625 children. This was 41 percent of the children in Oklahoma County’s child welfare system. Click here to meet some of our kids.
‍Will I get emotionally involved?
Most CASA volunteers grow to care deeply for the children they serve. That is exactly what many of our children need. An adult who cares about them and sticks by their side can be a game-changer. CASA volunteers often say their life is also enriched when they open their hearts to their CASA child.

How can I support CASA?
CASA of Oklahoma County is an organization of approximately 340 people between paid staff, volunteer board members, and 300 community volunteers. Every day, we endeavor to secure ongoing funding to sustain our programs, including seeking support from corporations and/or foundations that have an affinity for our work, holding fundraising events, seeking individual donors, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind donations. Click here to support CASA now
‍When I donate to CASA, where does my money go?
CASA of Oklahoma County follows all standards for best practices regarding CASA programs. The children we serve are extremely vulnerable and we do everything in our power to ensure we are giving them the best we have to offer. Doing so means recruiting the right people to be CASAs, a screening process to ensure child safety, in depth training to prepare the volunteer for the role, and support and supervision from knowledgeable CASA social workers throughout the case.  We are fortunate to have a dedicated and talented staff here at CASA who are passionate about the mission of CASA of Oklahoma Countyt begins with a phone call to your local CASA program. CASA volunteers are highly valued by the juvenile court, the children, and the community. To prepare you for the unique demands of this position, all advocates undergo 30 hours of training prior to being sworn in.