Voices For Children CASA
CHILD SAFE POLICIES AND CONTRACT FOR CASAs
The mission of Voices For Children CASA is to provide trained volunteers to advocate for
abused and neglected children in Boulder County
The CASA volunteers (Court Appointed Special Advocates) advocate for child victims of abuse
and neglect by conducting an independent investigation, monitoring the case and providing
recommendations through reports to the court. The goal is to get the child out of the system and
into a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible. Voices for Children CASA is committed
to the concept that all abused and/or neglected children in Boulder County are entitled to a
powerful voice on their behalf, leading to a safe environment.
The role of the CASA can be demanding and requires professionalism, ethical communication,
responsibility, regular and consistent visits with the child(ren) and the submission of timely,
complete reports. VFC will provide initial and continuing training, supervision and any support
needed.
Voices for Children CASA and CASAs will respect the dignity of children, families, staff, and
professionals by treating them with respect, consideration, and equal treatment, regardless of
sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, culture, or socio-economic status.
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Voices for Children requires all volunteers to fully participate in the Child Safe Policy and
Procedures guidelines to ensure the safety of all our clients.
CASA Work
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CASAs DO agree to submit to a criminal background investigation, including social
security number verification. Accepted CASAs will agree to submit to a criminal
background investigation, including social security number verification, every three years
in order to remain on active status.
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CASAs DO commit to 18 months or the duration of a case (whichever is longer), and to
spend approximately 10-20 hours on case work per month.
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CASAs DO perform CASA functions after receiving a copy of the court order officially
appointing them to the case. CASAs will carry a copy of this order at all times while they
are carrying out the duties of this organization.
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CASAs DO immediately report any new suspicion or evidence of abuse or neglect to the
VFC CASA Program Manager. If the Program Manager is not available, the CASA will
inform the Executive Director or will leave an urgent message and make a report to the
DHHS Child Abuse Report Line. The order of report is:
○ The VFC CASA Program Manager
○ The VFC CASA Executive Director
○ DHHS Child Abuse Report Line (1-800-CO-4-KIDS)
○ 911 (if the child is in immediate danger)
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CASAs DO visit the children regularly, usually weekly, but at least once per month.
○ If the CASA will not be able to visit the child in a given month, written approval
must be given by the VFC CASA Case Supervisor.
○ Continual failure to meet with the child on a consistent basis may result in
dismissal from the case.
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CASAs DO discuss any difficulties arising on the case immediately with the VFC
Program staff.
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CASAs DO attend all court hearings and staffings related to the case.
○ If the CASA cannot attend, a 48 hour notice must be given to either their
assigned Peer Coordinator or VFC CASA Program Staff Member so that
arrangements can be made to attend in the CASA’s place.
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CASAs DO participate in periodic case reviews every six months, case check-in at least
once a month and to initiate a final case closure review before the case is closed with
their assigned Peer Coordinator or VFC CASA Program Staff Member.
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CASAs DO coordinate with the VFC CASA Program Staff Member if the CASA needs to
be removed from the case, rather than suddenly terminating with a child.
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CASAs DO destroy all case notes and records once their case is closed.
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CASAs DO NOT ever re-interview children about the specifics of abuse and/or neglect
that brought the case into the system. CASAs do listen when children want to talk about
their circumstances, and do listen for any new information.
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CASAs DO NOT give legal advice, therapeutic counseling, or tutoring, but they may
explain the Dependency & Neglect or Truancy legal process.
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CASAs DO NOT conduct private communication with the judge or magistrate assigned
to the case. This is considered ex-parte communication and is illegal.
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CASAs DO NOT perform duties under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
Transportation
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CASAs will never transport a child without:
○ a valid Colorado driver's license, with copy on file in the VFC office
○ automobile liability insurance, with copy on file in the VFC office
○ driving record clearance
○ using a child’s car seat when appropriate (car seat must have been
manufactured in the last six years and never have been involved in an accident see local fire station for help in determining appropriateness and installation of
car seats)
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CASAs will not transport children off-campus of any residential facility without permission
from the facility staff and the child’s legal guardian.
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CASAs will not transport children overnight or out of the Denver metropolitan area. Any
exception to this policy must be cleared with the Program Manager with the following
conditions met:
○ Written permission from the legal custodian/guardian
○ Authorization to obtain medical treatment
Confidentiality
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CASAs will abide by strict confidentiality at all times. All information gathered by CASAs
falls under strict regulations and cannot be discussed with anyone outside the case.
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Any information observed on assigned case or during court hearings is strictly
confidential.
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Case details are to be discussed only with the VFC staff and the CASA’s assigned Peer
Coordinator.
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All case discussion at CASA trainings or meetings will be appropriately vague so that all
identifying information is protected.
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Providing written information, outside of brief email communication, directly to any other
involved party (e.g. Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS) caseworker,
GAL, therapist, teacher, foster parent, etc.) must be cleared with the VFC Program Staff
or the Peer Coordinator.
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The CASA can share verbal relevant information during staffings or other meetings.
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The CASA will not divulge the name, location, circumstances or information pertaining to
their CASA case or CASA family to any person in their family, including their
spouse/partner, nor will share any protected information with any personal or
professional contact for any reason.
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The CASA will not use court appointed position to garner any information for private
matters or business.
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The CASA may share relevant information with their personal therapist or clergy person.
Social Media/Electronic Communication Guidelines
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The CASA will carefully track each interaction with the child, parent, or professional and
put the information into contact logs in Optima. This includes one-on-one meetings,
emails, phone calls, social media interactions, or texting.
The CASA will create and use unique, CASA-only social media accounts (Facebook,
Twitter, etc) that is not shared with any other person for his/her use for CASA work. No
picture-sharing social media should be used to communicate with child(ren) (Instagram,
Snapchat, etc).
Personal email accounts may be used as long as the account access is not shared with
anyone else, such as spouse, partner, or children. It should only be in the CASA’s name
and be able to accessed by only the CASA.
CASAs should not link to personal pages (or become “friends”) of families or children
they may encounter in their capacity with the Voices for Children CASA program.
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It is unacceptable to discuss any identifiable details of assigned cases or CASA children
in any format, including but not limited to online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, email, personal blogs, websites, etc.
The CASA must always be careful in the use of email communication, and will limit the
case details in email communication where possible.
Texting is permitted with the child, but restrict messaging late at night or excessively with
a child if a one-on-one visit is possible. Text conversations should not be deleted until
after the case is closed.
CASAs are not permitted to take, share, or post photos of current or past children on any
social media pages or anywhere on the internet for personal or other use. If photos are
taken with a phone for the Magistrate, Judge, or parent, be sure to turn off geotagging (location services) on your phone.
Never include offensive, sexual, or inappropriate language or photos in any interaction
with a child, parent, or professional.
Physical Contact between CASA and Child
It is sometimes appropriate to have direct physical contact with children. These guidelines have
been created to provide practical guidance for volunteers working directly with children. It is
advised that volunteers limit physical contact with children.
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Physical contact should take place in public or in the presence of others, when possible.
Always consider visibility and lines of sight in any physical interaction.
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Physical contact should be initiated by the child, when the child is able to do so.
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Physical contact should have no potential to be misinterpreted as physical abuse or
sexual intimacy by a child or onlooker.
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Always keep in mind the known or potential trauma of a child and be aware of that your
physical contact could be perceived as, or remind a child of, physical or sexual abuse.
Physical contact is for the benefit of the child, not to meet emotional or other needs of
the adult.
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Celebratory gestures such as high-fives, fist bumps, pats on the back, shoulder, or head
are generally appropriate.
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Physical contact should never be in any area that would be covered by a child’s
swimsuit.
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When a child is old enough to communicate, always ASK before touching a child.
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NEVER punish a child through physical contact.
One-on-One Visitations
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Visits with the child(ren) should take place in public or with caretaker at home, when
possible. Visits may occur at the child's school, their current residence or in a public
place. The CASA may not have a visit with the child in the child's residence without a
caregiver in the home or facility (parent, foster parent, staff member, etc.).
If changing clothes or undressing needs to occur during a visit, the child will dress or
change themselves in private when age allows. If assistance is required by the CASA,
attempt to prop a door open or be in a semi-public space like a public restroom. Diaper
changes are an exception to this, though public restrooms are preferable. CASA should
always attempt to remain in a line of sight.
All interactions with child must be placed in a contact log in Optima, including the time
spent, miles traveled, and any money spent, along with a brief explanation of the visit.
Report any minor incidents or injuries in the contact log AND to VFC Staff. Major injuries
requiring a hospital visit should be reported to VFC Staff immediately after the child is
safe.
CASAs should be available by cell phone at all times during a visit.
Volunteers should assist children with using the bathroom only when absolutely
necessary. It is appropriate to prop open a door and to always consider lines of sight
when doing this. CASA should always attempt to remain in a line of sight.
Nudity, full or partial is not permitted when with a child. CASAs are not permitted to
change or undress in the presence of a child.
Overnight visits are not allowed.
Any visits that occur in a child’s bedroom, basement area, or home, the CASA must
leave a door open. CASA should always attempt to remain in a line of sight.
Visits are not permitted in the CASA’s home or the home of family or friends of the
CASA, or the home of other CASAs or Peer Coordinators.
CASAs should not use crass or sexual language, videos, photos or comments of a
sexual or inappropriate nature when working with children. CASAs should monitor all
media consumed by child during visits to insure the content is age-appropriate.
CASAs should not share personal information about their private lives.
CASAs should not buy the child excessive gifts. VFC provides funding, passes, gift
cards, and a toy room for activities and gifts. Contact CASA Staff for access to these
options.
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CASAs should not support them or their family in any financial manner. The exchange of
any money is strictly prohibited. Any money over $100 per month per child should be
pre-approved by CASA Staff. Any money spent on the child should be limited to food or
activities and should remain under $25 per child per visit.
CASAs do not babysit, provide child care, or respite foster care. One-on-one visits are
for the purpose of building relationships or information gathering. Visits over 3 hours are
not allowed without pre-approval from CASA Staff
CASAs should not have excessive contact with child that extends beyond the reach of
their roles as a CASA.
Reports and Use of Optima
● CASAs are required to keep their user name and password for Optima private.
● If using a shared computer, the CASA must ensure that no other user of the
computer will have access to Optima.
● CASAs are expected to verify that the address, email, phone number and
emergency contact listed under their personal information in Optima is correct. If
any changes need to be made, the CASA should edit this information in Optima
or notify staff.
● CASAs are expected to keep track of their CEUs through Optima. Any
educational event hosted by Voices For Children in which the CASA signs in for
will be entered by staff. All other CEU activities need to be entered by the CASA
and submitted for staff or Peer Coordinator approval through Optima.
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CASAs must submit a Court Report through Optima at least two weeks before
each scheduled hearing.
● Educational CASAs assigned to truancy cases may need to submit Court
Reports monthly, if hearings are frequent.
● CASAs are expected to make suggested revisions to their report within a timely
manner or as indicated by their Peer Coordinator/Staff.
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● All reports are expected to be clear, concise and objective narratives of the case
activity, important changes in the child’s life and qualified recommendations.
● CASAs must submit one set of Well-Being Assessments per child at least two
weeks before each scheduled hearing or approximately every 3 months.
● The CASA is expected to add a Contact Log for each activity performed by the
CASA on the case. All entries must be submitted within 72 hours of the contact.
● The CASA should capture all hours, miles and expenses spent on the case
within their Contact Logs, including time spent in Optima and reviewing records.
● The CASA is expected to update case information in Optima regularly.
Information that should be updated includes, but is not limited to:
○ the child’s school information
○ the current placement of the child
○ Family Members
○ Associated Parties
○ Hearing dates
● Peer Coordinators are expected to review Optima regularly and approve Contact
Logs and Reports within a timely manner. Specific expectations should be
discussed between the Peer Coordinator and their assigned CASA.
● Peer Coordinators are expected to track their activities in Optima through the use
of Non-Case Logs. The Peer Coordinator is expected to distinguish the
CASA/Case related to each activity. . The Peer Coordinator should also check in
regularly with Program Staff and address any concerns within a timely manner.
Training and Continuing Education
● CASA trainees must attend all in-person sessions of the mandatory CASA
training, and must successfully complete all online training modules, unless
otherwise cleared by VFC CASA staff.
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● A minimum of 12 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) are required
annually. This can be acquired by attending monthly in-service meetings,
reviewing books and movies, or attending other workshops and conferences. Any
CEU completed outside of VFC must be entered into Optima by the CASA for
approval.
○ Failure to complete the required credits will result in the CASA being put
on a Non-Compliant status. .
○ CASAs who are Non-Compliant for six months will be automatically
dismissed.
● A brief re-training session is required every five years or if the CASA has not had
an active case in over twelve months.
● Full re-training will be required if a CASA has been “Resigned” for a consecutive
period longer than 2 years.
● All CASAs, regardless of their participation on a case, are required to complete
the CEU requirement anually.
Conflicts with Staff
● The CASA may contact the designated VFC Board of Directors CASA liaison if
there is a conflict with VFC staff.
● If there is a conflict, here is the order of communication:
○ Staff member’s direct supervisor
○ Executive Director
○ Board CASA Liasion
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Conflicts of Interest
● Any CASA who files a formal application to be considered as the adoptive or
foster parent of his/her case child must notify VFC. In such circumstances, the
CASA will be immediately removed from the case.
● A CASA may not be a foster parent or a respite provider in the 20th judicial
district while serving on a D&N case.
● No CASA will be assigned to a case in which s/he is related to any parties
involved in the case or employed in a position and/or agency that might result in
a conflict of interest.
Personnel Records
● A file will be kept for every CASA. It will include the application and background
screening results; emergency contact information; other documents and
information as necessary.
● A CASA may have access to review his or her personnel file by appointment.
● Additions or corrections to the personnel file may be made in consultation with
the VFC Program Manager.
● These records will be maintained as confidential, and only VFC CASA staff will
have access to these files. Peer Coordinators will not have access to these files.
CASA Safety and Liability
● The CASA is encouraged to be vigilant while performing services related to or
with his/her assigned CASA child(ren), and also, could be exposed to persons
who may be mentally ill, have criminal backgrounds, and may otherwise be
unpleasant, or even dangerous.
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● The CASA, in accepting a position as a volunteer Court Appointed Special
Advocate within Voices For Children CASA, may be liable for actions that he/she
performs.
● Voices For Children CASA will protect the confidentiality of all CASAs, and will
not share addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or information about the
case/s he/she may be assigned to, or have been assigned to in the past.
● During training, the CASA will be provided with specific tactics in order to help
protect him/herself while performing the duties required of the CASA position, but
this training may not cover every scenario and situation that may occur.
● Voices For Children CASA cares deeply about the safety of every volunteer and
CASAs who serve our organization, and encourage CASAs to share any
questions about safety, privacy, liability or any concern at any time.
○ Many of the policies are in place to help ensure the safety of each CASA,
but again, this list of policies may not be inclusive of every situation that
may arise.
○ Because of this, if the CASA feels unsure about whether his/her actions
are appropriate, safe, or an action that they may be held liable for at a
later time, the CASA is encouraged to call the Voices For Children
Program Manager, Case Manager or Executive Director at any time.
○ If the CASA feels unsafe at any time due to the work performed as a
CASA, the CASA is encouraged to call 911.
By signing and dating below, the CASA acknowledges that he/she understands and
accepts the risk of liability that may arise as a result of performing his/her CASA duties.
___________________________________________
_____________________
CASA Signature and Printed Name
Date Signed
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Cause for Dismissal
● Violation of any one of the above policies and requirements.
● Failure to maintain and complete annual requirement of continuing education
hours (CEUs).
● Action by a CASA that endangers the child or is outside the role or powers of the
CASA program.
● Existence of a conflict of interest which cannot be resolved.
● Failure to inform VFC immediately if any child abuse incidents or investigations;
any arrests, legal charges, and/or convictions which occur during CASA tenure.
● Failure to inform or falsification or misrepresentation of facts during the screening
process regarding any child abuse incidents or investigations; any arrests, legal
charges, and/or convictions that occurred at any point in the past.
● Any breach of confidentiality.
● Ongoing breaches of policy, continued inappropriate behavior, or an inability to
contribute successfully to a team-based model that have been addressed by
staff.
● Failure to maintain consistent communication with staff or the Peer Coordinator
while appointed to a case.
I hereby agree to faithfully perform all the duties of a Court Appointed Special Advocate
(CASA), to familiarize myself with all guidelines, procedures, and ethical standards and
to function in accordance thereto. I agree to abide by the VFC written policies and
contract in my role as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
I understand that I am subject to ninety (90) day probationary period after my first case
assignment, after which I will be evaluated by the VFC CASA Program Manager to
determine whether I may continue as a CASA.
___________________________________________
_____________________
CASA Signature
Date Signed
___________________________________________
Printed Name
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