FAQs
Background Checks
What background checks do I need to have done?
You will need to conduct background checks for both your employees and volunteers. The background checks consist of: National, State, and Local criminal background check; Social Security Verification; National Sex Offender Registry; Child Protective Services or Child Abuse Registry.
How do I get these background checks done?
There are many different ways to get these background checks completed. There are two services that have been approved by both National and Ohio CASA that can conduct all the required background checks, OPENonline and Verified Volunteers.
Several Ohio local programs use OPENonline and have had positive experiences. The approximate cost of a volunteer search is $26.80. OPENonline has waived their set up fee for CASA programs, but they do have an annual fee of $100. Our contact at OPENonline is Zacc Martin at .
Verified Volunteers is endorsed by National CASA. There is no set-up fee, nor an annual fee. The approximate cost of a volunteer search ranges from $33.00 - $35.00. There is a repository fee of $5.00 for Miami County and $2.00 for Noble County.
In addition to these services, programs can use their local sheriff’s office, education service center, or JFS to get some of the background checks done.
If you have questions regarding background checks, please contact Kathleen Glumac at
Why do we have to do a social security verification?
National CASA requires a social security verification for every volunteer and employee. The social security verification does two things: validates and verifies the applicant’s social security number. First, the check validates that the social security number belongs to a living person. Second, it verifies that the number belongs to the person claiming it. The number is checked against the person’s registered address along with the credit bureau. The social security verification allows a program to uncover a criminal history that may have gone unfounded due to a false social security number.
What language should I use for my release form?
Here is some suggested language to put on the volunteer application.
I hear by affirm that all the information on this volunteer application for the ______County CASA Program are true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the information requested in this application will be used only for the purpose of determining my suitability as a Court Appointed
Special Advocate. No one will be rejected because of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or religion. All provided information is confidential. Furthermore, I understand that after the successful completion of my training, I will be expected to serve a minimum of one year or as long as the child (ren) to whom I am assigned are under the court's jurisdiction. If unforeseen circumstances prevent me from fulfilling this obligation, I will notify the ______County CASA Program in
writing.
The _____ County CASA Program will reject any applicant found to have been convicted of, or having charges pending for, a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse, or neglect, or related
acts that would pose risks to children or the credibility of the _____County CASA Program. Further, ______County CASA Program will reject any application who refuses to sign the release of information below.
By signing this application, I authorize the ______County CASA Program to secure national, state, and local background checks, child protective services check, sex offender registry, social security
verification (as appropriate and permissible by law). I understand that information requested in this application and other information that may otherwise be obtained will be used only for the purpose of deciding my suitability to serve as a CASA/GAL volunteer.
What criminal offenses disqualify an applicant from becoming a volunteer?
First, NCASA standards state that any applicant found to have been convicted of, or having charges pending for a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse or neglect or related acts that would pose risks to children or the CASA program’s credibility is not accepted as a CASA volunteer. This should be stated on the volunteer application form. Standards go on to state that if an applicant 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 to the CASA program, the CASA program will consider the extent of the rehabilitation since the misdemeanor or felony was committed as well as other factors that may influence the decision to accept the applicant as a CASA volunteer. So essentially for any crime other than those listed in the first part, it is up to the program to determine whether the applicant should be a volunteer despite any criminal record.
Other programs have policies that disqualify an applicant for any crime of violence, any crime against or related to a child, and any drug or alcohol related crime. However, some would consider a person with prior drug convictions that could document a subsequent documented successfully completion of a recovery program, with a release for the CASA program director to talk to the provider. Some programs also disqualify anyone with a crime of dishonesty, since our task is to provide true and accurate information—i.e. fraud, theft by fraud, forgery.
Do any programs get funding from the court fees?
Most programs do not.
How do programs pay for their background checks (especially if they are court based)?
Delaware County does not get any money from court fees, they are paid by grants and the general fund from the court. Their local sheriff’s office conducts their background checks, which are paid by the county. Most programs add this cost in with their budget that may consist of government, corporate, grant, foundation and individual funds. Wayne County works with their local Law Library Association, who is going to do their background checks for free.
CASAs questioning the Witness
In a recent case from the 2nd District Court of Appeals, the court found that it was inappropriate for the CASA non-attorney GAL to question witnesses in court pursuant to Superintendence Rule 48 and the rules governing the unauthorized practice of law. However, the appellate court did not rule that the error was reversible, reinforcing that the Rules of Superintendence are “general guidelines.” (In re J.S., 2013-Ohio-5756)
Many local programs have encountered this issue and the courts have typically not allowed CASAs to question a witness. When the local program does not have an attorney on staff that can attend the hearing to ask questions, Warren County’s court provides CASAs with court appointed attorneys to represent them in court. Several other counties ask the court to appoint an attorney for the CASA as well, especially if they anticipate that the CASA’s recommendation will differ from that of the prosecutor or children’s services.
A couple of counties allow the CASA to write the question down and the Judge will review it with the attorneys to decide if there is anything objectionable – much like how jurors are permitted to ask questions in some courts.
Should Volunteers submit photos with their reports?
This may be a decision left up to the local judge. In Lucas and Miami Counties, volunteers and attorney GALs are encouraged to submit a photo cover page with photos of the children only. If the CASA wants to submit additional photos/exhibits that needs to be done via the legal process. Pickaway County is not allowed to submit any photos, their judge felt it crossed the lines of confidentiality (to submit photos of the children). In Wood County, if there are concerns regarding the state of the home, JFS will take photos and the prosecutor will submit those into evidence. The CASA does not have an attorney on staff to enter such photos into evidence. Some programs are not comfortable with the volunteers taking photos, but if the CASA is given photos they might be introduced into evidence (via legal process).
What are some options in terms of mileage reimbursement for Volunteers?
Not all local program can afford to reimburse volunteers for their mileage. Those that do have come up with a variety of ways to reimburse their volunteers. For example, some pay a flat rate (such as $0.12/mile, $0.20/mile or the county mileage rate), while others have given gas cards to their volunteers yearly or when assigned a case. It is up to the program to determine what it can and cannot afford when it comes to mileage reimbursement.
Should we do courtesy home visits for other CASA programs (including programs out of state).
For court based programs, this may be a decision left for your judge. Your judge may decide that he does not want the CASA program to do courtesy home visits for programs in other counties/states due to jurisdictional issues. Your program may not have the resources to do these visits.
What about on-going courtesy visits for another state?
Again, this will depend on your Judge and your program’s resources. The judge may ask for a Judgement Entry from the original court appointing CASA on the case. If allowed, the CASA may have to provide testimony by phone from your courthouse in which the Judge will have to be present to swear the CASA in. Therefore, you should be aware of the commitment that you are giving when you do courtesy visits on an on-going basis. You may also set up clear guidelines as to your role in the matter, for example you may have your CASA do the visits and write about their observations but not make recommendations.
Do CASA programs accept child advocacy cases from someone other than the court? (i.e. Alternative Response cases within Child Services)
CASAs are appointed by the court and therefore, typically do not take cases that have not been filed in court. In regards to Alternative Response cases, many programs are finding that when AR does not work, children service files the case with the court. At that point, the case is generally more difficult. These failed AR cases have become quite a challenge for CASA programs, but it is helpful to note when a case started out as AR for tracking purposes.
Do programs offer “guardianship” services (i.e. homestudies for families who wish to do private adoptions)?
Most programs do not do these types of visits and reports for the court.
Does JFS have to consult with CASA before doing a “trial” relative placement?
This varies from county to county. In Erie County, DJFS does not seek the courts approval, nor CASA’s approval, before doing an extended visit with relatives. Summit County also does not seek the court or CASAs approval. If CASA objects to the placement, it is typically then brought to the court’s attention. Wood County normally has a review hearing before making any placements with relatives. However, the court orders are written in such a way that visitation is at the discretion of JFS, meaning they do not have to get the courts approval before doing a trial relative placement. In Pickaway County, the Judge gives both JFS and CASA discretion in a hearing to extend visits. The Judge has even delayed a move to another relative until the CASA could make a home visit with the new relative placement. In Athens County, CPS must file a case plan amendment to reflect the modification to the visitation plan. All parties then have 7 days to object, in which case an objection hearing is held. If there is no objection, the case plan is journalized and becomes an order of the court. Richland County is similar to Athens in that the trial placement needs to be done via case plan amendment so all parties have the option to object.
Can Board Members serve as CASAs?
It is permissible by National CASA. Standard 2(A)(5) states “if active volunteer advocates are members of the governing body, processes and procedures are in place for handling potential conflicts of interests in relation to personnel and human resource issues and other issues with potential for conflict of interest being addressed by the Board.” Therefore, if you Board decides it will allow its member to also be CASA volunteers, there must be processes and procedures in place to prevent any conflict of interest issues.
When does a volunteer’s job create a conflict of interest?
Standard 2(A)(4)(g) states “the CASA program shall maintain a written conflict of interest policy approved by the governing body. This policy shall govern the conduct of members of the governing body, program staff, volunteers and paid consultants. Members of the governing body and staff annually sign the conflict of interest policy. The conflict of interest policy will: prohibit an assigned CASA/GAL volunteer from being related to any parties involved in the case or being employed in a position and/or affiliated with an agency that might result in a conflict of interest.” Therefore, it is up to the program to determine/define when a conflict of interest may occur due to a volunteer’s employment or affiliation with an agency. Some examples that have come up over the years are teachers, court personnel, etc. For teachers, the program may want to consider whether the teacher works at the same school or building as a child in a case or whether there could be daily interaction at the school with the child. As for court personnel, the program may consider whether the volunteer is a clerk administrator and therefore, less contact with the parties to a case or whether the volunteer is a probation officer who has more contact with parties.
What are some good residential facilities for a youth with serious behavioral issues?
St. Vincent’s (
1490 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 252-0731
Oesterlenn ( mixed reviews
1918 Mechanicsburg Rd, Springfield, OH 45503
(937) 399-6101
Boystown (
14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010
402-498-1300
Beech Brook (
3737 Lander Rd, Cleveland, OH 44124
(216) 831-2255
Foundations for Living (
1451 Lucas Rd, Mansfield, OH 44903
(419) 589-5511
Marsh Foundation (
1229 Lincoln Hwy, Van Wert, OH 45891
(419) 238-1695
How do programs utilize summer interns?
Whether or not to use summer interns is up to each local program. Some programs have noted that interns who are working for course credits tend to be more reliable than those who are building their resume. Social Work Interns can often get practicum hours if there is a LSW on staff to supervise the intern. If you do decide to hire a summer intern, make sure you have specific duties and tasks for them to work on and complete, such as scanning documents, organizing files, updating service directories, creating flyers, etc.
Rule 48 and Training requirements
Rule 48 requires GALs to have 3 hours of in-service training each year. Therefore, programs must ensure that their CASA/GALs are receiving 3 hours of Rule 48 training. In order to be considered a Rule 48 training, the training must address one of the following:
(E)(3)(a) Human needs and child development including, but not limited to, stages of child development;
(E)(3)(b) Communication and diversity including, but not limited to, communication skills with children and adults, interviewing skills, methods of critical questioning, use of open-ended questions, understanding the perspective of the child, sensitivity, building trust, multicultural awareness and confidentiality;
(E)(3)(c) Preventing child abuse and neglect including, but not limited to, assessing risk and safety;
(E)(3)(d) Family and child issues including, but not limited to, family dynamics, substance abuse and its effects, basic psychopathology of adults and children, domestic violence and its effects; or
(E)(3)(e) legal framework including, but not limited to, records, checks, accessing, assessing, and appropriate protocol, a guardian ad litem’s role in court, local resources and service practice, report content, mediation, and other types of dispute resolution
In addition, the training must be approved by the Judge as Rule 48 compliant. Some judges have a blanket form they fill out each year that states that all the local CASA trainings are Rule 48 compliant, while others fill at a form for each training that states it is Rule 48 compliant. This will be up to your local judge.
When a court provides funding for a CASA program, what are some of the sources of those funds?
There are several sources to program’s funding from the court. Many courts receive money from DYS that is then distributed to the CASA program. The county commissioner may also provide money to the court that is earmarked for CASA. In addition, some courts get their money for CASA from the county general fund.
Do programs use movie screens and billboards for publicity?