CASA Volunteer - Child Advocate

Organization: Yamhill County CASA Location: Yamhill County, OR (hybrid, with required visits to the YC CASA office in McMinnville, OR) Employment Type: Volunteer / Internship-eligible (unpaid) Hours: Flexible / Ongoing commitment (8-10 hours a month) ABOUT THE ROLE: Yamhill County CASA is seeking compassionate, committed community members to serve as Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Volunteers. CASA Volunteers advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are involved in the foster care system. CASAs get to know the child, gather information, and share recommendations to help ensure each child's best interests are considered in court and in important decisions about their future. CASA Volunteers are not attorneys, and do not represent the child legally. "The lawyers know the statutes; the social workers know the regulations. But the CASA volunteer is assigned to know the child, one child at a time." ~ Anna Quindlen, Author ABOUT YAMHILL COUNTY CASA: We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in McMinnville, Oregon. Our mission is to improve outcomes for children who have experienced abuse and neglect in Yamhill County by recruiting, screening, training, and supporting CASA volunteers who advocate for the child’s best interests in the courtroom, classroom, and community. Our vision is to see that every child in Yamhill County has a powerful voice and a hopeful future. Our core values are compassion, connection, respect, and voice. WHAT YOU'LL DO: Advocate for a child's best interests in court and in the community. Build a consistent, supportive relationship with a child or youth. Collaborate with professionals including caseworkers, attorneys, educators, and service providers. Submit written reports and attend hearings as needed. Be the child's voice in the courtroom, and the judge's eyes outside the courtroom. WHO THIS ROLE IS FOR: Community members passionate about child welfare and advocacy. Individuals seeking to make a long-term impact for children. Those seeking service-learning hours, internships, and real-world experience. Professionals, retirees, or caregivers looking for purpose-driven volunteer work. Individuals currently fostering or interested in eventually becoming a foster or resource parent. Students and emerging professionals exploring careers in Child Development, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Criminal Justice & Law, Education, Nonprofit Management, Public Health, Sociology, and similar fields. WHAT WE PROVIDE: 30 hours of free pre-service training (our next training is in May 2026) Ongoing continuing education and mentorship Flexible scheduling Professional references and resume-building experience Access to professionals who can offer insights about the field Structured training without tuition costs Meaningful use of personal life experience and wisdom Connections and friendships with like-minded individuals The opportunity to make a lasting, direct impact in a child's life during potentially one of the most difficult chapters of their lives! REQUIREMENTS: Must be at least 21 years of age Must pass a background check free of violent crime or child abuse Must complete pre-service training Must be able to communicate effectively, both written and orally Must be able to commit to a minimum of 1-2 years Must be able to spend about 8-10 hours a month DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid position. NEXT STEPS: Learn more about Yamhill County CASA and APPLY at www.yccasa.org (You will be asked for 3 references, including email addresses. The application cannot be saved so you need to complete it in one sitting. This application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.) If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at volunteer@yccasa.org KEYWORDS: child advocacy, family systems, trauma-informed care, welfare, youth, court, case documentation, professional, equity & inclusion, community service, field experience, children, adolescent, guardian ad litem, internship, college, university, remote, hybrid, work from home, yamhill county, mcminnville, technical, communication Expected hours: 1.0 – 4.0 per week Benefits: Professional development assistance Work Location: Hybrid remote in McMinnville, OR 97128