Court Appointed Special Advocates

Assigning volunteers to advocate for children, so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive.

Children who have experienced abuse or neglect may face a lot of change and uncertainty. Courtrooms. Foster care. New schools. All while dealing with the trauma of abuse or neglect, and the trauma of being removed from home. At Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), we make sure children don’t face the courts and foster care system alone.

CASA volunteers advocate for what is in the child’s best interest and help to reduce the time a child spends in the court system and/or in foster care. They advocate for children to make sure their preferences and needs are being heard by those who are responsible for making decisions. 

CASAs spend time with the child and speak to relatives, service providers, teachers and social workers to gather information that will help them make recommendations to the court. Based on what they learn, our volunteers advocate for services that promote healing and strengthen families.

CASA volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is in a safe, permanent home. Our advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin if that can be safely achieved. CASA volunteers recommend services aimed at keeping families intact or returning children safely to family members. When that is not possible, volunteers work to help the child reach another safe and stable forever home.

You don’t need to be a legal professional or social worker to make a difference for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers are members of the community, from all walks of life, who have been screened and trained.