A child in foster care needs an advocate. They need YOU.

Attending an Information Session is a required first step. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about what a CASA volunteer does, and why having a CASA volunteer is so important in the life of a child in foster care.

Register for an in-person Information Session

Summer Info Sessions:

July 2026

Every Tuesday 5:30pm, Wayne office
Every Thursday 10am and 5:30pm Wayne office
*exception: Thursday July 2 is at 12pm only.

plus

Tuesday, July 7, 10am, Linden Library
Tuesday, July 14, 10am, Rahway Library
Tuesday, July 21, 10am, Westfield Colleen Fraser
Tuesday, July 28, 10am, Elizabeth office

The Wayne office is at 415 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite D2, Wayne. The Elizabeth office is at 1143 East Jersey Street, 2nd Floor, Elizabeth.

When you successfully register for an Info Session, you will receive a confirmation email with directions and parking instructions.

See you soon!

See why YOU should become a CASA volunteer

CASA volunteers change lives.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the foster care system.

CASA volunteers make a difference.

CASA has been best described as the "eyes and ears" of the court and often acts as the "arms and legs" of an overworked child protective system. 

CASA volunteers are appointed by the Family Court Judge to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. The primary responsibilities of a CASA volunteer are as follows:

  • Visit with the child: Maintain a consistent and regular visiting schedule with the child, a minimum of once per month.

  • Gather information: Review documents and records and interview the children, family members, and professionals in their lives.

  • Court reports: Provide written reports to the court in preparation for all court proceedings.

  • Attend court: Advocate for the child’s best interests “Be the Safety Net”: Seek cooperative solutions among individuals and organizations involved in the children’s lives.

  • Recommend services: Ensure that the children are receiving appropriate services by keeping the parties involved informed of any needs currently not being addressed. Bring concerns about the child’s health, education, mental health, etc. to the court’s immediate attention.

  • Monitor case plans and court orders: Assist the Court by reporting any deviation from what the court has ordered for the life of the case.

Requirements

  • All CASA volunteers need to be fluent in spoken and written English. CASA volunteers who are English/Spanish bilingual are especially needed.

  • CASA volunteers must be 21 years of age or older.

  • CASA volunteers must have lived in the US for a minimum of 5 years.

  • CASA volunteers must be able to drive and have access to a car.

  • Volunteers must complete the entire 36-hour training program, background checks, and application process.

Attending an information session is the first step toward advocating for a child in foster care. Register for one today!

Attend a no-commitment information session to learn about the role and responsibilities of a Court-Appointed Special Advocate volunteer—speaking up for children in foster care.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the application and training process.

CASA volunteers serve children removed from homes throughout Passaic County and Union County, including from Clifton, Passaic, Paterson, Little Falls, Wayne, West Milford, Bloomingdale, Haledon, Hawthorne, North Haledon, Pompton Lakes, Prospect Park, Ringwood, Totowa, Wanaque, and Woodland Park in Passaic County, and Elizabeth, Union Township, Plainfield, Linden, Westfield, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Cranford, Summit, Roselle, Hillside, Springfield Township, Clark, Roselle Park, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Kenilworth, Fanwood, Mountainside, Garwood, Winfield Township in Union County. If you live in one of these towns are looking for a volunteer opportunity, becoming a CASA volunteer with CASA of Passaic and Union Counties could be a great option for you. Please note: you do not need to live in Passaic County or Union County to become a CASA volunteer with CASA of Passaic and Union Counties. We have many CASA volunteers that volunteer with us that live in Sussex County, Morris County, Somerset County, Middlesex County, Hudson County, Essex County, and Bergen County.