Currently, CASA for Douglas County advocates for over 200 children impacted by the child welfare system. At any given time in Douglas County, there are up to 1,600 children in foster care. Our vision is to provide a CASA Volunteer Advocate to each child that needs one. We are in dire need of people within our community to advocate for these children and make a difference in their lives.

No special background or education is required to become a CASA Volunteer Advocate. We encourage people from all cultures and professions, and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds to volunteer.

Reach out to Martha Alcantara-Sanchez, Community Outreach Specialist at malcantara@casaomaha.org or at (402) 806-7453 if you have any questions.

If you would like more information visit our Contact Form. 

Volunteer Advocate Role

  • Learn
    Learn

    CASA Volunteer Advocates complete 30 hours of pre-service training & 12 hours of annual continuing education

  • Engage
    Engage

    CASA Volunteer Advocates learn all they can about the child, their family life, and their needs through monthly visits and research

  • Collaborate
    Collaborate

    CASA Volunteer Advocates work with other professionals to ensure that necessary services are provided & are in the child's best interest

  • Recommend
    Recommend

    CASA Volunteer Advocates make fact-based recommendations to help the child thrive

  • Report
    Report

    CASA Volunteer Advocates report all they have learned and observed to the court and speak up for the child's best interests before the judge

  • Accompany
    Accompany

    CASA Volunteer Advocates journey with a child until they are placed in a safe, permanent, and loving home where the child can thrive

Click below for the detailed CASA Volunteer Advocate description.

Volunteer Advocate Process

  • 1. Application
    1. Application

    Complete an application and provide supporting documents, including three references

  • 2. Interview
    2. Interview

    Schedule an interview with CASA's Community Outreach Specialist to see if this commitment is a good fit for you and the organization

  • 3. Background Checks
    3. Background Checks

    Pass a criminal background check, Nebraska child abuse & neglect registry, & national sex offender registry checks

  • 4. Training
    4. Training

    Complete 30 hours of pre-service training & 2 court observations

  • 5. Swearing In
    5. Swearing In

    Celebrate your accomplishment with your training class and get sworn in as a CASA Volunteer Advocate by a Juvenile Court judge

  • 6. Case Assignment
    6. Case Assignment

    Meet with your Advocate Coordinator to learn about your assigned case and get started with your advocacy

Advocate Training

A CASA Volunteer Advocate completes 30 hours of training and attends 2 court observations prior to being sworn in as a CASA. CASA training is scheduled over a five-week period and includes 3 hours of independent study and 3 hours of training each week. The class schedule provides some flexibility throughout the year. Click here to view the 2025 Training Schedule. 

Continuing Education

CASA Volunteer Advocates are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education each calendar year. CASA for Douglas County offers a variety of learning opportunities throughout the year.

 Stay informed with the monthly CASA Communique and keep up to date with your Outlook calendar for upcoming continuing education opportunities. If you have any questions regarding your continuing education hours, please contact our Education and Compliance Program Manager, Katelyn Wilee, at kwilee@casaomaha.org.