NCJ Number
196372
Date Published
2002
Length
172 pages
Annotation
This manual was created to aid in the early phases of development and operation of a new National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA) program.
Abstract
This informational manual contains an overview of CASA, its history and planning steps for building a quality program; creating the organization with a mission statement and a plan; organizational structure as a nonprofit including articles of incorporation, bylaws, IRS tax exemption, and establishing CASA under another organization. The manual also contains information for establishing the board and board responsibilities; the power of image, developing community support, and relating to others in the system; developing a budget and fundraising; staffing the program; establishing an office; and building relationship with the court. A section on volunteers includes chapters on recruiting, job descriptions, applications, interviewing, and saying "no." Volunteer training and volunteer management is also addressed, including supervision, evaluations, disciplinary action, and recognition. Program management is discussed addressing financial and risk management, program operations, personnel policies, and recordkeeping; docket scheduling, and COMET (CASA outcomes and management evaluation tool) is described. The final section on Tools includes memo of understanding, start-up budgets, job descriptions, sample forms, questions for volunteer interviews, conflict of interest statements, volunteer evaluation forms, financial policies and procedures, confidentiality policy, and statistics. The National CASA Association, which provides training and technical assistance, an annual national conference, a quarterly newsletter, and grants and resource materials, is given as the primary resource for start-up programs to utilize.