Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a calling — one rooted in compassion, community, and the desire to give children in need a voice. But if you’ve never stepped foot in a courtroom or worked in child welfare, you might wonder: How will I know what to do? The answer lies in the thoughtful, thorough training process that CASA of Johnson County provides every volunteer before they begin their journey.
CASA training isn’t just about procedures and paperwork — it’s about building confidence, emotional readiness, and a deep understanding of the role you’ll play in a child’s life. By the time you complete training, you won’t just know what to expect. You’ll feel prepared to show up, speak up, and serve as a strong, steady presence for a child navigating the foster care system.
Many CASA volunteers begin their journey with doubts. Will I be able to make a difference? Will I understand the legal process? Will I know how to talk to a child who has experienced trauma? These questions are completely normal—and the CASA training program is designed to address them head-on.
The training consists of 30 hours of pre-service learning, which includes 16 hours in the classroom and 14 hours of guided independent study. The sessions are interactive and engaging, with real-life scenarios, group discussions, and support from experienced CASA staff. Topics include:
But more importantly, the training creates a safe space to grow. You’ll learn how to listen without judgment, advocate without bias, and stand firm for what a child needs—even when it's hard. This foundation is what transforms caring individuals into confident, capable child advocates.
CASA staff are always available to provide guidance, review reports, and help you prepare for court. Whether it’s your first home visit or your fifth court appearance, someone will be there to support you every step of the way.
Being a CASA isn’t just about learning processes—it’s about preparing your heart to advocate for children who’ve been through more than most adults. That’s why the training also focuses on emotional resilience, trauma-informed care, and empathy-driven advocacy.
You’ll learn how to build trust with a child who may have every reason not to trust adults. You’ll develop the skills to ask thoughtful questions, listen deeply, and notice what others may miss. Most of all, you’ll come to understand that you don’t need to fix everything—you just need to be present, consistent, and committed.
For many volunteers, this part of training is transformative. It’s where they reconnect with their purpose and discover that their life experience—whether in nursing, education, parenting, or caregiving—has already equipped them with powerful tools for advocacy.
In Johnson County, 84 children are currently being served by CASA volunteers — but 47 are still waiting. These children are counting on someone to speak up for their needs and help guide them toward a safe, permanent home. CASA volunteers provide stability, hope, and advocacy at a time when everything else may feel uncertain.
And it all starts with training.
You don’t need to have a legal background to be a CASA. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to care—and be willing to learn. CASA’s training program is designed to meet you where you are and prepare you with everything you need to be a compassionate, confident advocate.
You’ll leave training not only understanding how the foster care system works, but also how you can be a steady, guiding presence for a child in need. You’ll gain the tools to speak clearly in court, the knowledge to navigate complex cases, and the emotional strength to be a reliable adult in a child’s life.
And most importantly, you’ll join a community of advocates, mentors, and staff who are just as committed to making a difference as you are.
If your heart is telling you there’s more you can do, now is the time to act. CASA of Johnson County needs 35 more volunteers to meet the growing need. Our training program will prepare you, step by step, to be a strong, informed, and compassionate advocate for a child who needs your voice.
Visit casajohnsonco.org/volunteer to learn more and sign up for our next training session. Your journey as a child advocate starts with one simple step—and we’ll be with you all the way.