together we will
You can help abused, neglected and abandoned children across the state by getting involved with the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) network.
Volunteer
to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Contribute
by making a charitable donation
Support
local CASA activities
and events
and events
Share
information about
our mission and work
our mission and work
Volunteer
When a child enters the child welfare system because his or her home is no longer safe, a judge may appoint a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or a CASA volunteer, to speak up for the best interests of the child in family court and other settings.
As a CASA volunteer, you will make a real difference for abused and neglected children by giving them a voice and providing a stable influence in their lives. You will serve as the eyes and ears of the court to promote the safety and well-being of children in the protective services system. To ensure you understand your role, special training and supervision will be provided before you are assigned a case.
Data shows that children who are assigned a CASA volunteer advocate are more likely to:
Find a safe, permanent home
Spend less time in foster care
Have fewer moves between foster placements
Do better in school
Receive the services they need
Avoid re-entry into foster care
CASA volunteers are positively impacting the lives of abused and neglected children.
What Do CASA Volunteer Advocates Do?
Volunteer responsibilities include:
- Spending a significant amount of time with a child to build a relationship and gain his or her trust
- Exploring all aspects of the child’s life and gather information from everyone involved, including family members, foster parents, teachers, daycare providers, doctors, lawyers, social workers and other relevant persons
- Ensuring the child has access to needed services, i.e. medical, education and housing
- Accompanying the child to court to advocate for their needs and rights
- Providing a comprehensive picture of the child’s life to the judge when the case goes to court
- Promoting safety and bringing a sense of urgency to the child’s needs
- Committing to advocate for the child’s best interest until he or she reaches a safe, permanent home
CASA volunteer advocates must:
- Be willing to commit several hours of your time each month for at least one year
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Participate in an in-depth training program
- Participate in an in-service training
- Pass criminal and DHR history background checks
- Be over age 21
Take the First Step
Are you ready to speak up for children in need?
TOGETHER WE WILL improve the lives of
abused and neglected children in the Cheaha Region.
Careers with CASA of the Cheaha Region
CASA of the Cheaha Region provides equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), color, race, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, family care status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal and state laws.
Current Opportunities:
CASA of The Cheaha Region is currently hiring for the position of Advocate Coordinator.
Advocate Coordinator Hiring Announcement
Position: Advocate Coordinator
Status: Full-time
Location: CASA of the Cheaha Region, Calhoun County
Salary: $35,000
Reports to Executive Director
SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for the ongoing supervision of advocates and management of the program’s appointed cases of abuse and neglect in the Court.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree preferred, in a social service-related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have advanced writing skills and be able to pass a grammatical exam prior to hiring. Ability to interact with, inspire, and empower volunteers effectively. Consistently able to work with different types of personalities respectfully. Positive, uplifting attitude with ability to adapt. Knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics within families in crisis relating to child abuse and neglect. Long term commitment to the program’s mission, goals, and standards. Must have the ability to be on call as needed for volunteer support. After hours and weekend work may be required, periodically.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Volunteer Management
Assist with the recruitment, screening and training of new volunteers. Assist with reviewing new cases and assigning volunteers. Prepare and distribute assignment documentation. Oversee case development. Provide support to volunteers through regular communication. Consult with volunteers regarding reports. Attend court hearings when required. Maintain case files on-site to include maintenance and data entry in Optima software. Assist with the completion of monthly reporting and implementation of a volunteer in-service training program. Prepare volunteer evaluations. Prepare written court reports. Edit written volunteer reports. Grammatically proficient in written and spoken word. Assist in the preparation of volunteer and community events.
· Community Awareness
Maintain effective relationships through personal contact and written communication with other professional and social service organizations, funding groups and charitable organizations. Interpret the mission of CASA to the public.
· Administrative
Attend conferences, seminars, continuing education and meetings as requested by the Program Director. Participate in fundraising activities when requested. Maintain own casefiles for own caseload and file accordingly. Compile statistical information as required. Travel and reliable transportation are required; and other duties as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Be a team-player and support co-workers in the CASA office, as well as team members in DHR and the legal system. Business casual attire appropriate for office environment. Local travel required; proof of Alabama driver’s license and car insurance (required).
Candidates must successfully complete the local and federal criminal background checks, sex offender background checks, and Child Abuse Registry clearances.
EEO POLICY STATEMENT
The Alabama CASA Network and CASA of the Cheaha Region provides equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), color, race, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, family care status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal and state laws.
HOW TO APPLY
Please email your resume and cover letter to lmiller@alabamacasa.org
Other Opportunities
If you’re looking for ways to support CASA and the vulnerable children we serve, but aren’t in a position to become a volunteer advocate—don’t worry. There are several other ways you can help:
Become a non-advocate volunteer:
Creative ways to help your local CASA programs are endless and very welcome. Please contact our office if you are interested in volunteering as a non-advocate.
- Help with administrative tasks in your local CASA office
- Set up a luggage, gas card, or office supply drive
- Assist with filing or data entry
- Donate office space to a CASA program in your community
- Volunteer to be on our events team
- Make or purchase birthday and/or Valentine cards for CASA kids that your local program staff can deliver
- Organize a “Blue Jeans” day at your office where employees pay $5 to wear jeans; proceeds go to CASA
Spread the word:
- Share our website with family, friends and co-workers
- Follow us on social media, and like and share our postings:
Make a financial contribution:
Your tax-deductible donation enables us to advocate for more children in need. There are several ways and opportunities to give:
- Make an individual donation
- Supplement your contribution with a matching gift from your employer
- Donate in memory or honor of a family member or friend
- Give a donation to commemorate a special event
- Sponsor an Event
- Make a recurring donation of $10/month
CASA of the Cheaha Region Sponsors
Our Supporters
We truly appreciate the corporations and foundations who support CASA of the Cheaha Region. Their continued generosity and commitment enable us to serve more children.
CASA Champions donate over $25,000 annually:
CASA Protectors donate over $15,000 annually:
Keller Williams Realty Group
CASA Ambassadors:
Berman Charitable Foundation
Sunny King Automotive Group
Jacksonville State University’s Alpha Xi Delta
CASA Sponsors:
Michael and Tonya Sargent
Leatherwood Baptist Church’s GAP Women’s Ministry
SAM’s Club Oxford, Alabama
Walmart of Oxford
Ike & Carrie Brown
Covenant Life Ministries, Alexandria
Dunn’s HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical
Brown Roofing Co, Inc.
Rotary Club of Calhoun County
Kiwanis Club of Anniston
Magical Wishes Travel, LLC
CASA GEMs (Givers Every Month):
Donny & Maegan Dunn
Kelsey and Hellon McWilliams
Apex Coatings
Magical Wishes Travel by Shana Reed
We have made every effort to ensure our lists are complete and accurate. If you have found an error or omission, please contact Laura Miller at 334-610-6559 or email Lmiller@alabamacasa.org.
Have you decided where you will be on December 15th and secured your tickets to this magical afternoon with our nationally recognized Santa, our up to no good Grinch, Buddy the Elf, crafts, treats, professional photography, and more! Join us as we fundraise for children victim to abuse and/or neglect and change lives! We will be checking your name on the nice list at the door! See you soon!
Rumor has it Mrs Claus might be there telling Elf stories
Stephanie Jane Hartdegen
Today, we celebrate SAMCO’s SIXTH generous donation to Cheaha CASA. When Sam Mousa first reached out wanting to join our fight against child abuse, we were serving roughly 150 children struggling during a pandemic. With great thanks to SAMCO’s continued commitment and support, Cheaha CASA served 382 children this year! Thank you SAMCO for changing so many children’s stories over the last few years. Please, be intentional by doing business with businesses where children matter!
This week, we were at DHR for an ISP meeting where CASA was invited to join the child’s legal team around a table and discuss what’s in the child’s best interest with the other professionals assigned to the kid.
Sitting in the waiting room, I met a little boy and his foster family waiting on another ISP and a supervised visit he was having with his momma. I offered to help them by asking who their worker was so I could connect them. The foster mom told me the DHR worker’s name, and told me thank you that she was already on her way to get them for their meeting. The little boy became anxious in his seat making sure she knew, “and Vanda is coming, too. Don’t forget Mrs. Vanda is going to be here too. Probably any minute.” His eyes were glued to the door.
The foster mother saw my CASA name tag and asked if I was with CASA, too. Before I could get out of my mouth that I was the CASA on another case at the same time, this little guy jerked his little eyes right around to me and let everyone know, “.. yeah but she’s not Vanda but she will be here because she said she was.”
I giggled and reassured him that I wasn’t taking her place. The time came and his sweet social worker grabbed the family from the waiting room and started them down the hall while she held the automatic locked door open for them.
It wasn’t long before he turned around on a swivel and yelled, “hold that door because Vanda is coming!!”
“Who is Vanda?” The caseworker asked.
“Well that’s my CASA worker. And she’s going to be here.”
Shortly after, Vanda came in on two wheels like she always does. She was able to be a nearby, warm body offering both support and comfort for this mom and child who just need a little help at reunification, and we think our corner of the world is a little bit better for it.
Dozens of more children are waiting on another advocate, and we’re holding the door for more volunteers to join us. This is our weekly reminder that all it takes is one person to make a difference, and we’re thankful this CASA is.
Vanda Holt is my hero too, little dude.
Thank you guys for your confidence in me. I went over to one of my foster homes last night to calm down a little one that was hyperventilating. He is broken. He can’t understand in his little mind why he can’t be with his mother. A child should not have to carry this burden on his own. I talked to his foster family tonight and he seems to be better.
We all need more "Vanda's" in our counties.. thank you! 🥰
I love you Vanda and I know you have a heart for these children.
Y'all are doing amazing work for these kids!
Vanda Holt is pretty awesome ❤️
Vanda Holt for the win❤️🙌
Change A Child’s Story!
