A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with Kids’ Voice is a trained volunteer who serves as the “voice in court” for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. Kids’ Voice is appointed in all abuse and neglect cases in Marion County when a judge determines that ongoing court involvement, and support from the Department of Child Services, is necessary to keep the child safe. As you can imagine, this is a scary, vulnerable, and complicated time in a child’s life. CASA volunteers build a relationship with the child, advocate for their needs, and present their best interests to the judge making critical decisions on their behalf.

Learn more about our CASA volunteer program.

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteers with Kids’ Voice are appointed to advocate for children whose family is experiencing instability due to an especially contentious family legal matter. GAL volunteers visit children in their homes, gather information about their circumstances, and speak with family members and service providers to understand what’s in the child’s best interest. Volunteers may submit a written report with recommendations for mediation or court, which is shared with the attorneys or self-represented parties involved. They may also appear in court to testify on the child’s behalf. All GAL volunteers are trained by Kids’ Voice staff and receive ongoing support and guidance from a Kids’ Voice staff attorney throughout the case.

Learn more about our GAL volunteer program. 

CASA and GAL volunteers both advocate for the best interests of children, but they are assigned to different types of cases. CASA volunteers are appointed when a child has experienced abuse or neglect and the court is involved to help keep the child safe. GAL volunteers are appointed in family law cases, such as adoption, divorce, paternity, or guardianship, when a child’s family is experiencing conflict or instability.

CASA and GAL Volunteer Advocates come from all walks of life. They are committed, well-trained, and supported volunteers appointed by the court to gather information and recommend what is in a child’s best interest. All volunteers must be at least 21 years old and pass both criminal and Department of Child Services (DCS) background checks. You don’t need a legal background, just a desire to make a difference in a child’s life. With your time and compassion, you can help amplify a child’s voice during a critical time in their life.

To learn more about becoming a CASA or GAL Volunteer Advocate with Kids’ Voice, attend one of our upcoming virtual, one-hour info sessions! You’ll find info session dates and details on our events page.

If you have questions about our volunteer program prior to attending an info session, you can contact us here.