MAKE AN IMPACT THAT LASTS

Your advocacy can help Change A Child’s Story.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA volunteer, is a court-appointed, trained, and committed adult who represents and advocates for a child’s best interest in the child protection system. By becoming a CASA volunteer, you can help children who have experienced abuse and neglect safe, giving them a chance at finding happiness.

What Is A CASA Volunteer?

What Does A CASA Volunteer Do?

CASA volunteers get to know the child and gather information from everyone involved in their daily life, including family members, foster parents, teachers, daycare providers, doctors, lawyers, social workers and other relevant persons.

You spend a significant amount of time with the child, gaining their trust. CASA volunteers use the information gathered to report to the judge overhearing the child's case, advocating for their needs while placed in the foster care system. As a volunteer, you commit to representing a child’s best interests until the child reaches a safe, permanent home.

How It Works

  • Child enters foster care

  • A judge appoints CASA program and the program matches the child with a CASA volunteer

  • CASA volunteer meets the child and gets to know them

  • The CASA volunteer visits with the child at least once a month.

  • The CASA volunteer communicates with everyone involved in the child's case

  • The CASA volunteer provides advocacy for the child's best interest in court

  • The CASA acts as an advocate until the child is returned home or is placed into a safe, permanent home, and the case is closed

What Are The Requirements?

  • CASA volunteers must be at least 21 years of age

  • Pass a background screening

  • Complete 30 hours of pre-service training

  • Be able to commit to a child until their case has closed, or for at least one year

  • Be able to volunteer a minimum of 7-12 hours per month

In addition to caring about the well-being of children:

Our CASA volunteers are essential in supporting the children and youth they serve. Research shows that CASA volunteers are successful in addressing and promoting the following:

  • CASA volunteers are highly effective in getting their recommendations accepted in court.

    In four out of five cases, all or almost all CASA volunteer recommendations are accepted - leading children and youth closer to a safe and permanent home.

    With a CASA volunteer, children are less likely to reenter the child welfare system. The proportion of reentries is consistently reduced by half.

  • When a CASA volunteer is assigned to a case, a higher number of services are ordered for children and families, improving their daily lives.

    Children with a CASA volunteer tend to perform better academically and behaviorally in school.

    Children with a CASA volunteer report significantly higher levels of hope.

  • Cases assigned to a CASA volunteer tend to involve the most serious cases of maltreatment; these children are more at risk and need the support that CASA's provide.

    A child with a CASA volunteer has significantly less placements than a child without a CASA volunteer, providing a level of consistency that is necessary for children and youth.

READ THEIR STORIES