CASA of South-Central New Jersey offers six 33-hour pre-service training options on how to advocate for the best interests of children living in foster care. Training times vary and include both daytime and evening sessions. Volunteers must complete the entire training session before they are sworn in by a family court judge and are assigned a child’s case. The curriculum includes the following topics: the role of the volunteer, the child welfare system, needs and development of children, trauma, mental health, poverty, professional communication, cultural competence, educational needs, permanency, and a 3-hour court observation. All trainings are a combination of in-person and online work.
After the training is complete, volunteers are sworn in by a family court judge as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for children in either the Mercer County or Burlington County foster care system.
2026 Pre-service Trainings
For more information about CASA’s volunteer training, contact Director of Training Laura Fitzgerald, Ph.D. at lfitzgerald@casasnj.org
Ready to start training? Click here to fill out an application so you can be part of the next training class.
Training classes begin at various times throughout the year.
