A child is waiting for someone like you.
Right now, children in foster care face judges, lawyers, and courtrooms alone. You can change that. No legal experience needed, just a heart for children and. commitment to showing up.
One person makes a difference.
Children with a CASA volunteer are:
1
More likely to find a safe, permanent home
2
Less likely to re-enter foster care
3
More likely to succeed in school
Children In Sullivan and Hawkins Counties are waiting for an advocate. You could be the one person who changes everything for one of them.
Can you be a CASA? Here's what it takes.
- 21 years or older
- Pass a background check
- Complete 35 hours of training
- Commit to one year of service
- Have a heart for children
That's it.
You don't need a law degree, a social work background, or any special experience. CASA volunteers are ordinary people — teachers, retirees, students, parents, professionals — who step up when a child needs someone in their corner.
How much time does this take?
First 4–6 weeks:
15-20
hours
as you learn your case
You’ll meet the child, interview key people (teachers, foster parents, caseworkers), and write your first court report.
After that:
2-4
hours per month
ongoing commitment
Visiting with the child, checking in with caseworkers, and attending court hearings.
Most volunteers are assigned one case at a time (sometimes siblings), so you can give focused attention.
We prepare you for everything.
Your 35-hour training covers:
- How the juvenile court system works
- Conducting interviews and gathering information
- Working with attorneys, social workers, and families
- Child development and trauma
- Writing court reports
You’ll also complete at least 2 hours of court observation and be paired with an experienced CASA mentor.
Training ends with a swearing-in ceremony before the Juvenile Court Judge. Once you’re sworn in, our staff provides ongoing guidance throughout your case.
And you're never alone after that.
Your case supervisor is always a phone call away. When you're unsure what to do next, we help you figure it out.
Training options:
Self-paced
Work through materials on your schedule with weekly check-ins
In-person
Classroom sessions with other trainees
What being a CASA looks like.
Meet the child
Build a relationship through regular visits
Gather facts
Talk to parents, teachers, doctors, foster families, caseworkers
Write court reports
Summarize what you've learned and recommend what's best
Attend hearings
Present your findings to the judge
Follow through
Make sure services are delivered and orders are followed
Your focus is always one thing: what's best for the child.
Along the way, you become the one consistent person in their life. The one who remembers their birthday. The one who asks how school went. The one who shows up.
Being a CASA volunteer has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I never imagined how much of a difference I could make just by showing up and listening. Seeing my CASA child smile and knowing she has someone who will always fight for her best interests means everything.
CASA volunteer of 2 years
Ready to start?
East Tennessee Foundation
Interview with our team
Background check
Complete 35-hour training
Swearing-in ceremony
Get matched with a child who needs you
Questions? Contact your local office
Have questions before you apply? Contact us, we’re happy to talk through what being a CASA is really like.
Not quite ready?
Here are other ways to support kids in care.
CASA Ambassador
Help spread the word at churches, fairs, and community events. Assist with fundraisers. No court involvement required.
Event Volunteer
Bring your skillset to help run our four annual fundraisers: setup, registration, logistics…
Office Support
Occasional help withmadministrative tasks.