Right now, thousands of children in Riverside County are navigating the foster care system without a consistent adult in their corner. A Court Appointed Special Advocate, a CASA volunteer, changes that. If you live in Riverside, Murrieta, Palm Desert, or anywhere in the surrounding communities and you’ve been wondering what it actually takes to become a CASA volunteer, you’re in the right place. This page answers every question, from eligibility and training to time commitment and support, so you can decide with confidence and take the next step.
Ready to make a difference? Start your application today.
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What Is a CASA Volunteer?
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. As a CASA volunteer, you are appointed by a juvenile court judge to advocate for the best interests of a child in the foster care system. You are not a social worker, a lawyer, or a foster parent, you are something different and often more lasting: a reliable, caring adult who gets to know a child deeply and speaks up for them in court.
Your role is to gather information about a child’s life, from their school, their caregivers, their healthcare providers, and present an independent recommendation to the judge on what would best serve that child’s safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing. Because you are focused on one child at a time, you often develop a fuller picture than any single professional in the case.
Voices for Children is the only court-designated CASA program in Riverside County. Learn more about the organization and its mission on the About Voices for Children page.
Why Riverside County Needs You Right Now
Riverside County is one of the largest counties in California, and the need for CASA volunteers here is significant. Approximately 4,000 children enter Riverside County foster care each year. Many of them will move through the system without anyone who is solely focused on their needs.
Voices for Children launched its Riverside County program in June 2015 and has grown steadily since, with offices in Riverside, Murrieta, and Palm Desert serving communities across the entire county. Despite that growth, there are still far more children who need advocates than there are volunteers to serve them.
The need for bilingual (English/Spanish) CASA volunteers is especially critical. Many families in Riverside County’s foster care system speak Spanish as their primary language. A bilingual advocate can communicate directly with children, parents, and service providers, creating a level of trust and understanding that makes a real difference in outcomes.
Explore volunteer opportunities across Riverside County to see the full scope of how you can get involved.
Who Can Become a CASA Volunteer — Eligibility Requirements
One of the most common misconceptions about becoming a CASA volunteer is that you need a background in law, social work, or child development. You don’t. Voices for Children is looking for everyday community members who are committed, compassionate, and ready to show up consistently for a child in need.
Basic eligibility requirements include:
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must live or work in Riverside County
- Must pass a background check (criminal history screening)
- Must commit to a minimum of one year of service on a case
- Must complete the full 35-hour Advocate University training program
- No prior legal, social work, or child welfare experience required
CASA volunteers come from every walk of life, working professionals, retirees, stay-at-home parents, students, teachers, veterans, and business owners. What they share is a willingness to be present and to advocate with persistence and care.
Have more questions about eligibility? Visit the Voices for Children FAQ page for detailed answers.
The Step-by-Step Process: From Application to Your First Case
Becoming a CASA volunteer is a structured process designed to make sure you feel prepared and confident before you’re matched with a child. Here’s how it unfolds:
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Start at the Voices for Children volunteer page and complete the online application. It takes about 20–30 minutes and covers basic background information and your motivations for volunteering.
Step 2: Interview
A Voices for Children staff member will contact you to schedule an interview. This is a two-way conversation, a chance for you to learn more about the program and for staff to understand how to best support you as a volunteer.
Step 3: Background Check
All CASA volunteers are required to pass a thorough background screening. This step is standard and required by the court.
Step 4: Complete Advocate University Training
You’ll attend 35 hours of training through Voices for Children’s Advocate University program. Training is offered in evening and weekend sessions, making it accessible even if you work full time.
Step 5: Swearing-In Ceremony
Once your training is complete and your background check is cleared, you’ll be officially sworn in as a CASA volunteer by a Riverside County juvenile court judge. This is a meaningful moment, it marks your formal appointment as an officer of the court.
Step 6: Case Match and First Visit
You’ll be matched with a child whose needs and circumstances are a good fit for your background and availability. Your Advocacy Supervisor will walk you through everything before your first visit.
For a full breakdown, read the 6 Steps to Becoming a CASA guide.
What Training Looks Like — Advocate University
Advocate University is Voices for Children’s training program for all incoming CASA volunteers. The full curriculum runs 35 hours and covers everything you need to understand the foster care system, your legal role as an advocate, and how to build effective relationships with children, caregivers, and professionals.
What you’ll learn in Advocate University:
- How the Riverside County juvenile court system works
- Your rights and responsibilities as a court-appointed advocate
- Child development and trauma-informed communication
- How to gather information and write a court report
- How to navigate the child welfare, education, and mental health systems
- Cultural competency and working with diverse families
Training sessions are offered in the evenings and on weekends so that volunteers with full-time jobs and family commitments can complete the program. You don’t need to take time off work to become a CASA volunteer.
Wondering how volunteers balance their schedules? Read Being a CASA While Working Full Time for practical insight.
What Ongoing Support Looks Like — Your Advocacy Supervisor
You will never navigate a case alone. Every CASA volunteer is paired with an Advocacy Supervisor, a dedicated Voices for Children staff member who provides regular guidance, feedback, and support throughout your service.
Your Advocacy Supervisor will:
- Check in with you regularly throughout your case
- Help you prepare your court reports and court appearances
- Answer questions about the system, your role, and challenging situations
- Connect you with additional resources and training opportunities
- Provide a stable point of contact as your case evolves
This structure means that even if you’ve never interacted with the foster care system before, you have an experienced professional in your corner every step of the way. The Advocacy Supervisor relationship is one of the most valued parts of the CASA experience, according to volunteers across the Riverside County program.
Get a realistic picture of what active advocacy looks like by reading A Month in the Life of a CASA Volunteer.
How Much Time Does It Take? Understanding the Commitment
Most CASA volunteers spend 10–15 hours per month on their case. That breaks down to roughly two to four visits with the child, plus time for coordination calls, documentation, and occasional court appearances.
Time commitment varies by case. Some months are quieter; others, particularly around court dates, may be more active. Your Advocacy Supervisor will help you manage your schedule and communicate clearly when deadlines are approaching.
CASA volunteers serve a minimum of one year per case. Many choose to continue beyond that, and some advocates stay with a child until their case is closed by the court. The relationship you build over that time is often one of the most meaningful of your life, and of theirs.
Real Voices: What Riverside County CASA Volunteers Say
The best way to understand what becoming a CASA volunteer really means is to hear from people who have done it. Volunteers across Riverside County describe the experience as challenging, humbling, and deeply rewarding, a role that changes not only the child’s life, but their own.
Many volunteers say they came in expecting to give something, and found they received far more than they anticipated, a clearer sense of purpose, a stronger connection to their community, and the knowledge that they made a real difference during one of the most uncertain periods of a child’s life.
Read firsthand accounts from active volunteers by visiting Volunteer Experiences in Riverside County to hear from the people doing this work right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need legal or social work experience to become a CASA volunteer?
No experience in law or child welfare is required. Voices for Children’s 35-hour Advocate University training prepares you for everything you’ll encounter. What matters most is your reliability, your empathy, and your commitment to showing up consistently for a child who needs you.
How much time will I need to commit each month?
Most CASA volunteers dedicate 10–15 hours per month to their case. This includes visits with the child, coordination with caregivers and service providers, and court-related preparation. Training sessions for new volunteers are offered in the evenings and on weekends so the program is accessible to working adults.
Can I become a CASA volunteer if I work full time?
Absolutely. Many Voices for Children volunteers hold full-time jobs. The program is specifically designed to be compatible with a working schedule, Advocate University training is offered in evenings and on weekends, and most case activities can be arranged around your availability with advance planning.
Is there a special need for bilingual volunteers in Riverside County?
Yes, the need for bilingual English/Spanish CASA volunteers across Riverside County is significant and ongoing. Many children in the foster care system and their families speak Spanish as their primary language. Bilingual advocates are able to communicate directly and build trust in ways that meaningfully improve the experience and outcomes for those children.
What happens after I submit my application?
After you apply, a Voices for Children team member will contact you to schedule an interview. From there, you’ll complete a background check and then begin the 35-hour Advocate University training program. Once training is complete and your background check is cleared, you’ll be sworn in by a juvenile court judge and matched with a child. The full timeline from application to first case typically spans a few months.
For more answers, visit the complete Voices for Children FAQ page.
Related Resources — Your Complete Riverside County CASA Guide
This hub page is designed to be your central starting point. The following resources go deeper on specific aspects of the CASA volunteer experience in Riverside County:
Take the First Step Today
Every child in Riverside County who enters the foster care system deserves someone who will fight for their stability, their education, and their future. That someone could be you.
You don’t need a perfect resume. You don’t need a background in law or social work. You need a willingness to show up, ask questions, and speak up for a child who doesn’t yet have the power to speak up for themselves.
Voices for Children will train you, support you, and stand beside you every step of the way. The children of Riverside County are waiting.
Start your journey as a CASA volunteer — apply with Voices for Children today.
Apply Now at speakupnow.org/volunteer/ →
