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		Qualifications and Training to be a CASA Volunteer CARING IS THE ONLY EXPERIENCE YOU NEED! You don't need a law degree or social work background to be a CASA Volunteer.  Or have all the time in the world. The best qualification:  A commitment to seeing children grow up in safe and nurturing environments.  And practical experience with children. YOU'RE AN EFFECTIVE CHILD ADVOCATE IF YOU CAN: * Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals from various walks of life * Cope with the stressful issues and difficult situations children have experienced * Reach objective conclusions after considering all the facts * Maintain confidentiality * Work respectfully with people who have different values and life situations * Devote at least 8 to 12 hours each month to work on a case Becoming a CASA volunteer advocate requires completion of 30 hours of pre-service training provided by CASA.  This training is comprised of 9 weeks of evening classes (one evening per week) or 4 full day classes.   To view the next training dates please click the link below.   Topics covered during training include an overview of the juvenile court system in South Dakota, sessions on report writing and information gathering, understanding the effects of child abuse, understanding cultural differences, and the roles of various professionals involved with abuse and neglect cases. Active volunteers are also asked to complete 12 hours of inservice training per year. View the Training Schedule