Virginia Beach CASA

Virginia Beach Court-Appointed Special Advocate (VB CASA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that recruits and trains volunteers -- from all walks of life -- to advocate for abused/neglected children that are too young to speak for themselves in the complicated family legal system. Primary duties include visiting CASA child(ren) on a weekly basis; reviewing sensitive records; conducting interviews with caregivers, educational/medical/legal professionals and other providers; and submitting a comprehensive report to the court before each hearing. CASAs are the judges’ eyes-and-ears for these cases, and their input matters a great deal. CASAs also receive extensive pre- and in-service training and are supervised/mentored by VB CASA staff members and other CASA volunteers.

Advocate Volunteers Must:

• Be at least 21 years of age

• Possess effective communication skills (oral and written)

• Be able to relate to persons of varied cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic status

• Pass a series of background checks (Dept. of Social Services, Fingerprints, Sterling Volunteers & VA Judiciary Courts)

• Participate in 30-35 hours of pre-service training (in-person/virtual, incl. court watch time & homework activities)

• Commit to at least 18 months of volunteer service, incl. approximately 8-20 hours of monthly casework