Become a Volunteer

Be a Voice for Children: ADVOCATE!

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers come from all walks of life, have a range of backgrounds and professions, and are all ages. No legal or social work background is necessary to volunteer. The only requirement is a big heart and the willingness to be a voice for a child. Thirty-three hours of training is provided before the advocate’s work begins, and ongoing staff support and continued trainings occur along the way. Advocates are asked to commit to one year; however, most stay longer, as most of our cases do not close within a year. The typical time commitment for volunteering with us is seven to ten hours per month, which includes seeing the child at least once a month.

To learn more, simply fill out the inquiry form or contact our Advocate Coordinator, D'Aja Joyner at djoyner@casabaltco.org. You are welcome to join our next Information Session, but this is not required to begin the process.

*We have 3 upcoming training classes:

A one-week, all in-person training class from Monday, July 13th through Friday, July 17th! JULY 2026 TRAINING SCHEDULE
Our September/October hybrid training class running from Tuesday, September 8th through Tuesday, October 6th! SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 TRAINING SCHEDULE
Our October/November hybrid training class running from Monday, October 26th through Thursday, November 19th! OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2026 TRAINING SCHEDULE

Fill out your inquiry now!

Volunteer Inquiry

Name

First

Last

You MUST be at least 21 years of age to be a CASA Volunteer Advocate. Are you at least 21 years old?

Yes

Best Phone Number

Address

Street Address Line 1

Street Address Line 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal

How did you hear about Voices for Children/CASA?

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be a CASA Volunteer?

CASA Volunteers should:

What does a CASA Volunteer do?

CASA Volunteers act as a communication link between the child and the "system.” They are the constant advocate and supporter as the child navigates through the court system. Ultimately, the CASA Volunteer strives to be see that the child’s outcome leads to a safe, loving, permanent home.

Voices for Children trains and supports CASA volunteer advocates to work one-to-one with foster children as they maneuver through the court system. The volunteer gets to know the child well and investigates the child’s circumstances by speaking with adults involved with the child (family, teachers, social workers, caregivers, etc.). The volunteer then writes a court report and presents it to the judge at the child’s hearing. The goal is to help ensure that the child receives needed resources (educational, medical, emotional, etc.) and to ultimately help secure a safe, loving, permanent home for each child.

How much time does it take?

New volunteers complete 33 hours of training prior to being matched with a child in Baltimore County foster care. Most trainings are held in the evenings. CASA Volunteers spend an average of seven to ten hours per month spending time with their child and researching the case. Ideally, volunteers will follow their assigned child thought their time in foster care; however, we ask for a minimum commitment of one year.

Why are CASA Volunteers needed?

Across the United States there are over 350,000 children in foster care due to abuse and neglect, and approximately 600 of those children are from Baltimore County. Social Workers from the Department of Social Services in our county work with approximately twenty children and families each. Appointed juvenile attorneys have caseloads of 75 to 100 children or more each. The professionals involved are unable to provide children with the individualized attention they deserve. A CASA volunteer, on the other hand, is assigned to the case of only one child or sibling group at a time. These advocates are often the one constant in the child’s life. As one volunteer told her CASA child, who felt that every adult in her life had abandoned her, "I’m not going anywhere!”

What is the impact?

The Judges and Magistrates who review foster care cases often feel that without the voice of a CASA volunteer, they do not have enough information to make the right decision about a child’s future. CASA Volunteers are able to thoroughly know each case. The CASA Volunteer is often the only consistent, caring adult in the life of a child in foster care. They are uniquely positioned to speak to that particular child's needs, wants, and best interests.

Indeed, our CASA Volunteer Advocates change lives.

We encourage all to consider joining the Voices for Children family and become the voice for an abused or neglected child!