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DO:
1. Report any suspicion that a child has been mistreated. You are not to judge whether or not a child is in danger; leave that to the HHS investigator. You can make a report by calling 564-1113 or 1-800-652-1999, or you can contact law enforcement if necessary. NEVER remove a child from a home. If you feel that he or she is in immediate danger, go to the nearest phone and notify law enforcement. Return to the home if you feel safe doing so. If you feel that you are in danger, leave the situation immediately. If necessary, call law enforcement. Always notify the coordinator as soon as possible, and NEVER place yourself in the situation again. If you feel at all threatened or uncomfortable, have the coordinator attend visits with you.
2. Meet all parties involved with your case in person. It will make it much easier to work with them.
3. If the party has an attorney (especially the parents), always check with the attorney prior to conducting an interview.
4. Be a friendly volunteer, even when you're being assertive. Remember: another volunteer may have a different case involving the same professionals, so we all need to put our best foot forward to represent CASA well.
5. The professionals in these cases have clear responsibilities. Their performance or judgment is never a question to be brought up to any interested party. Never challenge decisions of the professionals in front of any family member or the child.
6. If you disagree with a professional on the case, discuss your areas of disagreement directly with that person. If you do not feel satisfied with that discussion, always contact the CASA office next. Options for proceeding at this point with conflict are (but are not limited to) the following:
a. Talking with the individual's supervisor.
b. Calling a staffing of the involved individuals and their supervisors.
c. Working it through with CASA staff and letting it drop.
d. Making appropriate recommendations to the Court in your report.
7. Call the CASA Coordinator whenever you are:
a. Stuck in your case.
b. Unsure of how to proceed.
c. Confused about any issues or procedures.
d. In need of resources or available options.
e. In need of assistance or consultation in any manner.
f. In need of a listening ear.
8. Ask the coordinator to go with you to meetings and visits if you are uncomfortable getting started.
9. Let us handle your phone calls for you if you are uncomfortable giving out your home or office number (this is highly recommended).
10. Meet with your attorney 7-10 days prior to Court hearings.
11. Always submit a written report for every disposition or review hearing pertaining to your case. Attend all hearings or arrange for the coordinator to attend in your place.
12. Monitor the implementation of case plans and court orders to determine whether services ordered by the court are actually being delivered in a timely manner, and are accomplishing the desired goal. Advocate for timely hearings.
13. Inform the court promptly if services are not being made available to the child or family, if the family fails to take advantage of the services, or if services are not achieving their purpose. Bring to your attorney's attention any violation of orders, new developments, or changes in the child's circumstance.
14. Monitor the child's placement by talking to the child regarding their problems and needs and talking to their caretakers about behaviors and relationships.
15. Document every contact that you make and maintain a complete and accurate record in your case file.
16. Call the CASA office immediately if you move or change your phone number.
17. Leave an emergency number with the CASA office.
18. Turn in mileage and hours quarterly to the CASA office.
DON'T
1. Never take a child into your custody, as this is against the law. You may transport a child if you have ample auto insurance, and if the person with custody (custodial parent, relative, or HHS worker) gives permission.
2. Don't give expensive gifts. Cards and/or small gifts are okay if you desire.
3. Don't make promises - you may not be able to keep them. Don't even make suggestions such as "I'll see what I can do". A needy or desperate child can easily misinterpret your intent.
4. Don't give legal advice or counseling.
5. Don't take the child home with you.
6. Don't let the parents become too dependent on you for services; when you are no longer there, who will do it for them if they haven't learned for themselves?
7. Don't do anything you are truly uncomfortable about. Call the coordinator to discuss it.
8. Don't give medicine, aspirins, vitamins, etc...
9. Don't authorize medical treatment for a child. Any hospital or doctor visits must be arranged so that the person with custody is present.
10. Don't give treats or feed the children without checking on any dietary restrictions with their primary care giver.
11. Don't surprise us!! Surprises create chaos in a CASA program. Problems of a personal nature will be held in strictest confidence. Call us if you are:
a. Going on vacation
b. Having surgery
c. Lost your job or got a job
d. Getting married or divorced
e. Having family problems
f. Involved in any situation that may affect your ability to do your job as a CASA
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