What CASA Volunteers Don’t Do

When people first hear about Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), they often picture someone who investigates families, removes children from homes, or decides where a child should live. These are all common misconceptions..

At CASA of Johnson County, Indiana, our volunteers serve a very specific and essential role within the child welfare system: to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. But to fully understand what CASA volunteers do, it’s equally important to understand what they don’t do.

Below, we’ll break down some of the most frequent misunderstandings and clarify what it really means to serve as a CASA.

CASA Volunteers Are Not Part of the Department of Child Services (DCS)

Perhaps the biggest misconception is that CASA volunteers work for DCS or have authority to remove children from their homes.

In reality, CASA volunteers are completely independent of DCS. They are appointed by a judge, not by the state, to advocate for the child’s best interests during court proceedings. While they collaborate with caseworkers, attorneys, and service providers, they do not make decisions about removal, placement, or reunification.

Here’s the distinction:

DCS caseworkers manage family services, supervise visitation, and make placement recommendations.
CASA volunteers observe, report, and advocate to ensure the child’s voice and needs are heard in court.

CASAs are the eyes and ears of the court, not enforcers of state policy. Their reports help judges make informed decisions, but they do not have authority to act on those decisions themselves.

If you’d like to learn more about how CASA collaborates with DCS and the courts, read about the difference between DCS and CASA

CASA Volunteers Don’t Decide Where a Child Lives

Another common misunderstanding is that CASA volunteers decide whether a child should stay with their family, enter foster care, or be adopted. Those decisions rest solely with the judge and are guided by law, case evidence, and recommendations from professionals.

CASA volunteers contribute an independent perspective by gathering information, speaking with everyone involved in the child’s life, and submitting a written report to the court. The report might include insights about the child’s education, emotional well-being, or safety, but the CASA does not make final decisions.

Their role is to recommend what they believe is in the child’s best interest, not to determine outcomes.

To see examples of how CASAs impact a child’s case without making legal decisions, explore our Volunteer Stories.

CASA Volunteers Don’t Supervise Visits or Provide Family Services

CASA volunteers are not social workers, therapists, or service providers. They do not conduct home studies, monitor family visits, or deliver counseling.

Instead, CASA volunteers observe and gather information by:

Meeting with the child regularly in safe, neutral environments, sometimes at home if arranged
Speaking with teachers, caseworkers, foster parents, and relatives
Attending court hearings and submitting reports

This distinction is important: CASA volunteers advocate, they do not intervene.

While they may visit homes or schools to ensure conditions are appropriate and safe, these visits are strictly for observation and reporting purposes. CASA of Johnson County provides thorough training so that volunteers know how to document these visits appropriately and maintain professional boundaries.

CASA Volunteers Don’t Work Alone

Though CASA volunteers serve as independent advocates, they are far from isolated in their work. Every volunteer is supported by CASA staff supervisors, who guide them through each step of their case.

Volunteers also work alongside a team that may include:

DCS case managers
Guardian ad litem (GAL) attorneys
Teachers, therapists, and school counselors
Foster parents or relative caregivers

This collaborative structure ensures that children benefit from multiple perspectives, all working toward the same goal: a safe, stable, and permanent home.

If you’re considering becoming a volunteer, you can rest assured that you’ll never be navigating the system on your own. Our staff is with you every step of the way. Learn more about our training and support process.

CASA Volunteers Don’t Replace Parents or Professionals

It’s also important to note that CASA volunteers do not act as parents, teachers, or mental health professionals. Their role is to amplify the child’s voice in a system where it can easily get lost.

They do this by building trust, listening deeply, and bringing the child’s needs and wishes to the attention of the court.

CASA volunteers do not diagnose, discipline, or direct a child’s care plan, but their recommendations often help ensure that children receive the right services, like counseling, educational support, or stable placements.

CASA Volunteers Don’t Need Special Degrees, Just Commitment

You don’t need a law degree or social work background to make a difference as a CASA volunteer. Our advocates come from all walks of life; educators, business owners, parents, retirees, and community members.

What matters most is commitment. Volunteers typically dedicate a few hours per month and commit to their assigned case until it closes. That consistency is what helps children feel safe and supported through an uncertain time.

For a closer look at what the volunteer journey looks like, visit our page on What CASA Volunteers Do.

The Heart of CASA: Advocacy, Not Authority

CASA volunteers do not remove children, decide custody, or enforce court orders. They advocate, observe, report, and support; offering the steady presence every child deserves in a complex system.

By understanding what CASA volunteers don’t do, we can better appreciate the power of what they do:
They ensure a child’s best interests are never overlooked.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make a difference in a child’s life, the answer is yes. It takes compassion, consistency, and the belief that every child deserves a champion.

Learn more or apply to become a CASA volunteer in Johnson County today.

Become a CASA Volunteer