QUALIFICATIONS

1. (a) A court-appointed special advocate (CASA) shall be 21 years of age or older.

2. (b) Prior to appointment, a CASA shall:

   1. (1) Successfully pass all screening requirements, including criminal history and child abuse background checks.
   2. (2) Complete a written application containing information about educational background and training, employment history and experience working with children.
   3. (3) Submit the names of three or more references of persons unrelated to the prospective CASA.
   4. (4) Authorize the CASA program and other appropriate agencies to conduct a criminal record check, a child protective services background check as permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth and, if the duties of the CASA could include the transportation of children, a driving record check.
   5. (5) Attend and participate in personal interviews with CASA program personnel.
   6. (6) Be able to make a 12-month minimum commitment to a case, in addition to the time required for preservice training.
3. (c) A CASA shall respect a child’s inherent right to grow up with dignity, in a stable, safe, loving and nurturing environment.
4. (d) A CASA shall have the ability to relate effectively to the children and families to whose cases the CASA may be assigned.
5. (e) A CASA shall keep information confidential and work within the scope of established program guidelines and orders of the court, maintain objectivity and relate to a variety of people.
6. (f) A CASA may not accept reimbursement for time, or for routine travel or other expenses ordinarily incurred in the discharge of assigned duties, and shall comply with the requirements established by the CASA program under whose supervision the CASA is providing services.
7. (g) An individual may not be appointed as a CASA who is found to have been convicted of, or to have charges pending for, a felony or a misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse or neglect, or related acts that would pose risks to children or the credibility of the CASA program. If a prospective CASA is found to have committed a misdemeanor or felony that is unrelated to or would not pose a risk to children and would not negatively impact the credibility of the CASA program, the program may consider the extent of the prospective volunteer’s rehabilitation and other factors that may be relevant in determining whether to accept the applicant as a CASA volunteer.

8. (h) Grounds for dismissal of a CASA include the following:

   1. (1) Taking action without CASA program or court approval that endangers a child or is outside the role or powers of the CASA program.
   2. (2) Engaging in ex parte communication with the court.
   3. (3) Violation of a program policy, court rule or law.
   4. (4) Failure to complete required in-service training.
   5. (5) Failure to demonstrate an ability to effectively carry out assigned duties.
   6. (6) Falsification of an application, or a misrepresentation of facts during the preappointment screening process.
   7. (7) Allegations that the CASA is the subject of child abuse or neglect allegations.
   8. (8) Existence of a conflict of interest that cannot be resolved.