Needs From: United Way of South Central Tennessee

Who We Are

CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — is a nonprofit organization operating across the state of Tennessee, with hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Our mission is to advocate for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, ensuring their voices are heard in the court system.

As the CASA Supervisor for Bedford County, I can tell you firsthand: the need in our community is real, it is urgent, and it is growing. DCS caseworkers are overwhelmed, and the children navigating the court system deserve someone in their corner who is focused entirely on their best interest.

The Need in Bedford County

Every unassigned case is a child without an advocate. We are asking our community to step up and help change that.

What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?

Once trained and assigned, you will be matched with a case involving one or more children currently in DCS custody in Bedford County. Your role is to:

1.     Make contact with the child or children at least once per month.

2.     Form an independent, unbiased opinion on what is truly in that child's best interest.

3.     Document your findings and share them with the CASA supervisor, who can bring them to court in a formal report (you will be trained on this).

4.     Optionally attend court hearings — but this is not required. The CASA supervisor is present at Bedford County court every Monday and can represent your findings.

This role is flexible. You work on your own schedule and your own time — this is something you can do alongside your existing commitments.

Volunteer Requirements

To become a CASA volunteer, you must:

5.     Be 21 years of age or older

6.     Pass a background check and drug screening

7.     Complete an in-person interview and application

8.     Complete 30+ hours of online training

9.     Attend a full-day, in-office training session to complete certification

10.Pass a reference check before being assigned a case

 

We are seeking volunteers to host donation drives to collect baby essentials for families with young children in our programs. Many of the families we serve are working to stabilize their lives and provide safe, nurturing homes for their children, and access to basic baby supplies can be a significant financial burden. Volunteer groups can make a meaningful difference by organizing workplace, school, church, or community donation drives to collect much-needed items such as:

diapers (all sizes, but recently we've used a lot of Pull-Ups, sizes 2-3T, 3-4T)wipesdiaper creams and pastesbaby lotionbaby wash and shampooand other infant care essentialsspecific need currently for 2T girls clothing

These supplies are distributed directly to families with infants and toddlers, helping reduce stress and ensuring children have the care items they need to stay clean, healthy, and comfortable. By hosting a donation drive, volunteers help strengthen families and support healthy beginnings for our community’s youngest children.

Suggested set-up: Designate a collection spot at your office/church, share the list of needed items and how it supports local families served by TTT, and set a deadline for when items should be donated. After the deadline, schedule a time to deliver donations to our office, or we can come to you. We would love to take pictures to celebrate the efforts of your team's donation drive and give thanks through public recognition!