What your CASA volunteer will do:
- Read everything about your case.
- Get to know you, your family, your teachers, and anyone else that is important to you.
- See you often.
- Have calls, e-mails, letters, with you, depending on your age and needs.
- Meet with the adults who you live with and talk with them about how you are doing.
- Talk with your teachers and therapist to make sure that you are getting the help that you need.
- Talk with your caseworker and attorney ad litem.
- Tell the judge how you are doing and what you need.
- Make sure you get all the help that you need and that you are safe.
- Treat you with respect at all times.
What your CASA volunteer will NOT do:
- Tell other people, who are not on your case, that your family has a CPS case.
- Take you to their home or have you meet their friends or family.
- Buy expensive gifts for you or your family.
- Give you legal advice (that’s your lawyer’s job).
- Do counseling with you (that’s your therapist’s job).
- Set up a placement for you (where you live).
- Take you to stay the night anywhere.
- Talk with you and your family after your court case closes.
- Do things that are unsafe for you.
- Say bad words or tell bad jokes to you or in front of you.
- Show you pictures or other things that make you feel uncomfortable.
- Talk about details of their lives with you.
- Drink alcohol or use drugs around you.
- Have any secrets with you.
- Stare at you or make comments about your body.
- Abuse you in any way.
Any type of abuse will not be tolerated.
What to do if your CASA volunteer makes you feel uncomfortable:
Tell a safe adult right away.
Call your CASA Supervisor or CASA of Travis County’s office at 512.459.2272.
Who are the new people you’re meeting?
CASA/Guardian ad Litem
You will have a CASA supervisor and a CASA volunteer. Their job is to go to court and tell the judge what is best and safest for you. Your CASA volunteer usually works only with you and your family, not with other kids. They will visit you, talk with your parents, talk with your family, the people that you live with, your teachers, and your doctors. Your CASA team does not work for CPS. Your CASA volunteer does not get paid to work with you. CASA will work to make sure that you are safe and that the people around you keep you safe.
Attorney ad Litem
Your attorney ad litem (your lawyer) represents what you want. Your attorney will go to court for you and tell the judge what you want.
CPS Caseworker
Your CPS caseworker will work with you and your family. Your caseworker also works with other children. If you and your family need any help (like counseling), they will set that up.