CASA Companions are Non-Advocate Volunteers and must be referred by a current CASA Volunteer Advocate. Each Volunteer Advocate can apply to have their own CASA Companion; someone they know is going to be their support system. Being a CASA Volunteer Advocate is rewarding, but it’s certainly not easy. That’s why we are launching the CASA Companion Program – where a friend or a loved one can provide emotional support for CASA Volunteer Advocates during their cases.
Due to privacy laws, CASA Volunteer Advocates are unable to share any information regarding their case(s) with anyone outside of the case except for their CASA Supervisors. It can be stressful for a Volunteer Advocate to be unable to seek guidance from a friend or loved one on how to approach a situation regarding a child that may have undergone many adversities. CASA Companion is CASA of the Sabine Neches Region’s solution.
Sometimes when put in a difficult situation, it is helpful for a Volunteer Advocate to have a third-party perspective from someone who is less deeply involved in the case. It may also be helpful to have a CASA Companion when traveling to visit children. Especially when placements can be well outside of our service area. A CASA Companion can help a Volunteer Advocate by acting as a sounding-board, being a travel companion or joining the Volunteer Advocate on child visits. The Volunteer Advocate will determine the level of involvement of their CASA Companion based on the Volunteer Advocate's individual needs. Once approved on a case by case basis by CASA of the Sabine Neches Region, the CASA Companion may serve the Volunteer Advocate in any or all of these capacities.
CASA Companions must go through CASA Companion training, complete the screening process and pass the required background checks in order to become a confidant for a CASA volunteer. A CASA Companion can only become involved in a case once the Advocate has visited the child three times. They cannot testify in court or perform visits alone. They are simply there as an additional support to the Advocate and child. CASA Companion training is only offered for those friends, spouses or significant others who have been referred by a current Volunteer Advocate.
Requirements to become a CASA Companion: Must be referred by a current Volunteer Advocate Must be 21 years of age or older Complete Volunteer Application (Select "Application is for CASA Companion") Participate in a Pre-Service Interview with CASA Staff Complete CPS History Check and be fingerprinted for Criminal Background Check. See Instructions Complete Volunteer Acknowledgement Form & Release for Criminal Background Checks Complete Pre-Training Complete two-hours of direct training.
