CASA Tutor Program

CASA Tutors provide high-quality, consistent, and accessible educational support to children and youth in the foster care system using volunteers trained specifically in trauma-informed practices. The program is designed for children in kindergarten through 12th grade and allows them to meet one-on-one with their volunteer tutor on a weekly basis. Tutors assist with homework and learning concepts in a supportive and caring environment, helping each child reach their educational goals, build their confidence, and feel supported as they navigate through their school years.  Tutors are assigned to students for the full school year, with the option to continue working together longer if the tutor and student wish to do so.

Tutors select the student they wish to work with based on the youth’s needs and the volunteer’s ability to support them through their skill set or knowledge base.  
 

What is Required to be a CASA Tutor?

Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older and have:

• A background in teaching, tutoring, or as a paraeducator OR strong content knowledge due to their education or career and a comfort with planning, tutoring, and working with youth. 
• A willingness to complete six, 90 minute, tutor training classes and the online California mandated reporter training class.
• The flexibility to meet with a youth once a week for approximately one hour, lesson plan for your sessions, and drive to and from their location, for an average of 10-12 hours a month.
• A minimum one year commitment to the program, and a willingness to commit to completing the full school year with the child or youth.
   

Steps to Become a CASA Tutor

STEP 1: Sign up for an Online Informational Session

Our Informational Sessions will help you understand what it means to be a CASA Program volunteer advocate or tutor. Attending an Informational Session is required before submitting your application for either role.
 

STEP 2: Submitt Application and Reference Inquiry?

After you attend an Informational Session, you will receive an online application and reference inquiry via email from our Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator. The application will require 10 - 15 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete.  
You will be asked to provide three references. References may be co-workers, friends, neighbors, or others who have known you for at least two years. If you are currently employed, one of your references must be your employer. When we receive your reference list, we will email each of them our reference questionnaire and notify you as we receive their confidential responses. Once we hear back from your three references, we will contact you to schedule an interview. Upon successful completion of your interview, we will work with you to conduct your background screening before training begins.
 

STEP 3: Attend Tutor Training

You've successfully completed the interview and screening process and are ready for Tutor Training. Training includes six, 90-minute classes and is held on Zoom.Topics include an introduction to CASA’s structure and policies, the impact trauma has on the developing brain, an introduction to the child welfare system, cultural competency and implicit bias, boundaries, and confidentiality.
At the conclusion of training, we will meet for an in-person interview at our office in Concord. 
 

STEP 4: Begin Tutoring

Choose a child or youth. Our Tutor Program Coordinator will work with you to select a child or youth on our waitlist who will benefit from your skills and experience. A trusting and positive tutor-child relationship will be the foundation of your success.

For more information, contact Tutor Program Coordinator Sarah Bradford at sarahbradford@cccocasa.org or 925-256-7284 ext. 7.