Volunteer Opportunities Available Through the Wood County CASA/GAL Program

1. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA®)/Guardian ad litem (GAL)

Volunteer to gather information about the life of a child who has allegedly been abused, neglected or dependent, report the facts to the court and make recommendations and advocate for the best interest of the child in court,and monitor the situation until a safe permanent home is made for the child.

Application requirements:

• submit completed application
• 21 years or older
• 1 year of commitment
• criminal records check
• 3 letters of reference
• interview with program staff
• Complete 40 hour pre-service training -offered through the Wood County CASA/GAL program
• Take Oath of office administered by the Juvenile Court Judge
• Maintain 12 hours of annual training after the Oath

2. Citizen's Review Board- (Currently recruiting individuals interested in serving in the substitute capacity but applications are still being accepted for sub positions and for future openings)

Members of the Citizen Review Board are appointed by the Wood County Juvenile Court Judge to review for the court, all Department of Job and Family Services(DJFS) Case plans and semi annual review plans on behalf of the Judge. The CRB is to approve or disapprove these plans and inform the Judge of concerns found in the plans.  Members must review the documents to ascertain if the parties to the case are fulfilling the objectives as set forth by the DJFS.   Training is completed for this volunteer opportunity through the Juvenile Court/CASA Program.

Members of the CRB must meet a minimum of one of the qualifications for board membership as mandated in the Ohio Revised Code 2151.417 which states that the board must comprise of one member of the General Public, four members who are trained or experienced in the care or placement of children and have training or experience in the fields of medicine, psychology, social work, educaiton or any related field.

The Wood County CASA/GAL Program assists the Wood Juvenile Court by overseeing and coordinating the services of Volunteers serving as members of the Citizen's Review Board (CRB). 

Application requirements:

• submit completed application
• 21 years or older
• Able to serve 3 year commitment which may be renewed for one additional term.
• criminal records check
• 3 letters of reference
• interview with program staff and Judge
• Complete pre-service training and maintain 6 hours of annual training

 3. Friends of Wood County CASA Non-Profit Advisory Board

Meetings on a minimum of quarterly basis, assist in raising community awareness about the CASA/GAL Program, advisory services to the Program, assist Program with funding needs primarily for meeting needs of CASA/GAL Volunteers. For more information visit the advisory board pages on this web site. 

Requirments for membership:

• Submit letter of interest
• Submit resume or history of work and volunteer experiences
• 3 year commitment (students serving on the board are required to make a 1 year commitment)
• Meet with members of Nominating committee and Program Director
• Vote by current members of the board
• Participate in a member orientation

Contact the Wood County CASA®/GAL Program Office for more information about these Volunteer Opportunities at 419-352-3554 and to request any required application packets.