The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) concept is based on the belief that every child deserves a safe and permanent home. The Judicial District VII CASA Program Inc. is committed to giving all abused, neglected, and abandoned children a voice in the court process and within the community. Judicial District VII is the largest district in Idaho, encompassing Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, and Teton Counties. Our program recruits, trains, screens, and supervises community-based volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children throughout their involvement in the court and child welfare system. When a child comes under the jurisdiction of the Child Protection Act due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, the program assigns a trained CASA volunteer and a volunteer attorney.

The CASA volunteer is an official part of judicial proceedings, working alongside attorneys and social workers. By handling only one or two cases at a time, the CASA volunteer can thoroughly explore the history of each assigned case. The volunteer communicates with the youth, parents, family members, neighbors, teachers, school officials, doctors, and others involved in the youth’s background who might have relevant information about the case. The volunteer reviews all court-related facts and documents pertaining to the case. The CASA volunteer is then expected to submit formal reports to the judge at every scheduled hearing or review. The CASA volunteer continues to monitor the case to ensure that the judicial and child welfare systems are progressing toward securing a safe, permanent home for the youth and that court-ordered services are provided to the youth and family. The CASA volunteer serves as an invaluable resource for the youth in achieving their goals for permanency and ensuring the safety and well-being of each child served.

Prospective applicants must be at least 21 years old, complete the 30-hour CASA training, and undergo background checks before receiving a case and at least every four years thereafter. The background checks include the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) child abuse central registry, Idaho's sex offender registry, and fingerprint FBI National Criminal Investigation Checks (NCIC). This process is designed to ensure that applicants are well-suited for this specific type of volunteer work while protecting the safety of the children we serve. Not all applicants are accepted into the Judicial District VII CASA Program, Inc.

The time commitment required to serve as a CASA volunteer varies by case. It is estimated that volunteers spend 8 to 12 hours per month. Generally, a CASA volunteer is responsible for only one case at a time, which may involve a single child or a sibling group. Much of the work can often be done at the volunteer’s discretion, except when it involves court appearances. Volunteers are expected to commit to the program for at least two years.

This program offers an excellent opportunity for community members to engage meaningfully in supporting children. If you believe you have the necessary skills and time to dedicate to this program, please submit your application for consideration.