Become a CASA volunteer!
Do you have a passion for children and a desire to help a child in need? You may be the perfect person to become a CASA volunteer!
Qualifications:
Age 21 or older
Live or work in Yankton County, Clay County, Union County, Turner County, or Bon Homme County.
Have 8-12 hours a month that you can spend on a child's CASA case.
If you are interested in finding out about the duties and responsibilities of a CASA volunteer, please contact CASA Case Manager Crystal Gemar at 605-760-1766.
The CASA Volunteer Application form, the Statement of Understanding Form (permission for Southeast CASA to conduct a background check on you), and the Central Registry Screening Form (a SD Dept. of Social Services background check on you) are each required to begin your application process, and they can be downloaded from this page.
Volunteers must also complete the 30-hour National CASA Association's training program provided by Southeast CASA in order to be sworn in by the Circuit Court Judge as an official CASA volunteer.
After you are a CASA volunteer, you will complete a monthly Volunteer Time Form to track your volunteer hours. You will also attend at least 10 hours of professional development in-service activities each year.
The Southeast CASA Program now has a lending library! Volunteers may check out a book or DVD on topics such as foster care, at-risk children, poverty, and advocacy. These resources, some of which were purchased with grant funds from the Yankton Area Foundation, may be used for in-service credit. Volunteers must complete at least 10 hours of in-service credit each year. Stop by to see the selection of materials!
