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?
After entering adulthood, I felt deep gratitude for the family and community that loved, cared, and advocated for my success as a child. I became a volunteer with Blue Ridge CASA with hopes that the children I serve feel safe, happy, and known and the adults in the child’s life feel supported and encouraged.
I believe we each have a responsibility to all the children in our community, but family life can be so insular that we often don’t exercise that responsibility. Being a CASA gives me the opportunity to support kids in my community during one of the hardest times they’re likely to experience.
This is a serious commitment and can be emotionally challenging and demanding work that tugs at your soul and empathetic capacities. That said, it can also be incredibly energizing, inspiring and rewarding.
So many adults who [my CASA child} has trusted have let her down historically and I like knowing that I can be her voice and advocate for what she wants in life in a room full of people who can make that happen for her; all while keeping her safe but conscientious of her needs.
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.