The following guide will provide CASAs with valuable advice and resources for advocating for their case youth remotely during the COVID-19 crisis.
Beginning March 13, 2020, and until further notice, Voices for Children asked CASAs to cease any in-person meetings with anyone related to your case, including your case children and the involved professionals. This change heightens the importance of regular check-ins with the child’s caregivers and the various professionals on the case to ensure the children’s needs are being met. We recommend calling the caregivers weekly during this time, as the children’s regular activities, including school and therapy, will likely be disrupted due to COVID-19 concerns. As a reminder, our policy regarding written communications remains in force: all written communication must be approved by the advocacy supervisor.
In addition, all in-person events, including small group meetings and Continuing Education sessions, have now been canceled, postponed, or moved to an online format. Due to COVID-19 concerns, CASAs should not go to court until further notice.
We expect to update this guide regularly as new resources and advice become available; however, as always, please contact your advocacy supervisor or another available staff member if you have any questions and concerns.
Reporting Child Abuse
When you are sworn in as a CASA volunteer, you become something more: you become a “mandated reporter” of child abuse. During the COVID-19 crisis, child welfare professionals have expressed concern that children are no longer interacting with some of the most common reporters of abuse, teachers and daycare providers. If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Child Abuse Hotline at 800-344-6000. You may also contact your Advocacy Supervisor for guidance.