We can help you become an advocate for children
Apply NowWho is a CASA?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer is a trained community member appointed by a Judge to advocate for the best interest of a child in foster care due to abuse and/or neglect. CASA volunteers get to know the child, their biological family and their foster parents. They work collaboratively with all the professionals involved. They provide the Judge with comprehensive court reports and make informed recommendations. This process often takes between 12 and 18 months. Our staff walks alongside our volunteers, providing needed training and support.
What does a CASA do?
A CASA Volunteer works to:
- Spend time with and get to know their CASA child.
- Identify and address risks to the child’s safety and well-being.
- Identify supportive people in the child’s life that they can work with to promote safety and well-being for the child during their time in foster care.
- Ensure appropriate physical and mental health assessments are completed and that the child’s needs are understood by the family and everyone involved in the case through a trauma-informed approach.
- Verify educational assessments are completed and educational supports are in place.
What impact does a CASA have?
It’s significant
A child with a CASA is more likely to find a safe and permanent home, succeed in school, and most importantly, is half as likely to re-enter the foster care system. Each icon to the right represents a local child proven by national studies to have more hope, thanks to their CASA’s involvement last year.
What does the commitment look like?
On average, a CASA can expect to spend 6-10 hours each month working on their case. This includes visiting the child, chatting with any adults who may be part of the case, and writing a report for the court. An average case lasts 12-18 months. Anyone 21+ can be a CASA, no educational background or legal expertise required. CASAs have to pass thorough background checks and have strong writing and communication skills.
Interested in learning more?
It is a volunteer opportunity that will stay with you;
and one where you can make a genuine measurable difference.
I am a voice for children. It’s quite empowering, humbling, and fulfilling.
Being a CASA is extremely important to the children in our community. You don’t have to be “perfect” to be an effective advocate – you just need to be authentic.
I am helping children in a way that I did not realize was possible.
There is no perfect CASA and even a little is worth a lot to these children. They want someone consistent in their life to listen to them and show them that they care about their efforts and actions. The time commitment to be a CASA for one child is minimal with maximum impact. It takes a little while to adjust to how things work, get into a rhythm, utilize resources, and navigate the system but you have 100% support from the CASA Program staff.
It is about the child.
For many of these children, this is the first time it has been about THEM, and the first time they’ve had someone dedicated to them. No matter how challenging a case is or the end result, every effort and amount of time invested will mean something to that child and it will matter.