CASA Peer Coordinator Program

About the Program

Category: Volunteers (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

As a result of budget reductions, the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Maricopa County Program began to recruit, train, certify and support community volunteers who advocate for children in foster care, typically one case at a time. A program that has seen the loss of staff positions due to budget constraints, Maricopa County's decision to create a volunteer infrastructure to support the state-required program has proven to be very successful. With the encouragement and support of the National CASA Association, CASA of Maricopa County introduced the Expand CASA! Pilot Program in September 2010, training an inaugural class of fifteen CASA volunteer advocates to serve as Peer Coordinators. Maricopa County utilized existing CASA volunteer advocates, in good standing with the Program, to assume coordination type duties and provide support to brand new CASA advocate volunteers joining the CASA of Maricopa County Program. Adding additional coordinators reduces the number of individual volunteer advocates assigned to each coordinator, allowing for a more meaningful, responsive coordinator and volunteer advocate relationship. The creation of a mid-manager coordinator position enhances the volunteer experience of incoming volunteers and strengthens the senior volunteer advocates affiliation to the CASA of Maricopa County Program, thereby increasing retention by providing opportunities for growth. The program has been very successful, with over 400 volunteers affiliated with the program, of which only thirty-one volunteers have exited. This program is a great example of a county initiative to increase the quality of service for children in foster care. Not only does this program increase the competency and accountability of foster care volunteers, but it also creates a more friendly and happy community.