(a) Each CASA program shall, if feasible, be staffed by a minimum of one paid administrator. The staff shall be directly accountable to the presiding juvenile court judge and the CASA program board of directors, as applicable.

(b) The program shall provide for volunteers to serve as CASAs. A CASA may be appointed to any dependent, nonminor dependent, or ward who is subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

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Terms Used In California Welfare and Institutions Code 102

  • CASA: means a Court-Appointed Special Advocate. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 101
  • Court: means the superior court, including the juvenile court. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 101
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Dependent: means a person described in Section 300. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 101
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Nonminor dependent: means a person as described in subdivision (v) of Section 11400. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 101
  • Ward: means a person described in Section 601 or 602. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 101

(c) Each CASA shall serve at the pleasure of the court having jurisdiction over the proceedings in which a CASA has been appointed and that appointment may continue after the child attains his or her age of majority, with the consent of the nonminor dependent. A CASA shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide independent, factual information to the court regarding the cases to which he or she is appointed.

(2) Represent the best interests of the child involved, and consider the best interests of the family, in the cases to which he or she is appointed.

(3) At the request of the judge, monitor cases to which he or she has been appointed to ensure that the court’s orders have been fulfilled.

(d) The Judicial Council, through its rules and regulations, shall require an initial and ongoing training program consistent with this chapter for all persons acting as a CASA, including, but not limited to, each of the following:

(1) Dynamics of child abuse and neglect.

(2) Court structure, including juvenile court laws.

(3) Social service systems.

(4) Child development.

(5) Cultural competency and sensitivity relating to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth.

(6) Interviewing techniques.

(7) Report writing.

(8) Roles and responsibilities of a CASA.

(9) Rules of evidence and discovery procedures.

(10) Problems associated with verifying reports.

(e) The Judicial Council, through its CASA Advisory Committee, shall adopt guidelines for the screening of CASA volunteers, which shall include personal interviews, reference checks, checks for records of sex offenses and other criminal records, information from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and other information that the Judicial Council deems appropriate.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 71, Sec. 2. (AB 424) Effective January 1, 2016.)

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