What a CASA volunteer actually does for a foster child
📍 Denver
Denver CASA's short film explains how court-appointed advocates become the most consistent adult in a foster child's life — and what that means in practice.
Why we're sharing this
If you've ever wondered what court-appointed child advocacy looks like day to day, this short video is the best explanation we've found.
The acronym CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — doesn’t tell you much about what the volunteers actually do. This video from Denver CASA does.
CASA volunteers are assigned by a juvenile court judge to advocate for a child in the foster care system. That means visiting the child biweekly, talking to their social worker, teachers, foster parents, and lawyers, attending court hearings, and writing reports that help the judge understand what’s actually best for this specific kid — not what’s convenient for the system.
Why it matters
Children in foster care interact with dozens of professionals: caseworkers, attorneys, therapists, teachers. Many of those professionals carry caseloads of 30+ children. The CASA volunteer carries one. That’s the difference — having someone whose entire focus is a single child’s wellbeing, with enough time to actually listen and follow through.
The commitment is real
CASA volunteers complete 30 hours of pre-service training. You need to be at least 21 and pass a background check. Cases run an average of two years, sometimes longer. This isn’t a casual weekend commitment — it’s a relationship with a child who needs someone to show up consistently in a system that often doesn’t.
If that level of commitment resonates, start at denvercasa.org/volunteer or call 303.832.4592. Denver CASA also runs an Older Youth Program for ages 14-21 focused on independence and goal planning.