Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

A CASA volunteer plays an indispensable and crucial role in providing safety, consistency, and unwavering support to children who are navigating the complex and often daunting legal process.

What are Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)?

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is appointed by a Family Court Judge and serves as the voice of children in the court system who have experienced abuse and neglect as well as children in the juvenile justice system.

The CASA volunteer compliments the duties of other professionals involved in cases. Other professionals include, but are not limited to, the Court, protective service workers, foster care workers, prosecuting attorneys, the Guardian Ad Litem, attorneys for the respondent parents, and mental health professionals.

Our volunteers make all the difference

Every year more than a half million abused and neglected children are in need of safe, permanent, nurturing homes. CASA volunteers can make a difference in the lives of these children by advocating for their best interests in finding that home. Did you know?

  • More services are ordered for the children with a CASA because of a consistent, responsible adult presence.

  • Children appointed a CASA volunteer experience significantly fewer placements than children in foster care who are not appointed a CASA.

  • Children with a CASA reach a permanent home faster and their likelihood of returning to the child welfare system is reduced by half.

Community Testimonials

  • "Reports are always timely and thorough. CASAs are describing their regular contact with children and with the respondent parent(s) if the parent(s) are cooperating and available. A photograph of the child(ren) is provided with every report. Strengths, successes and difficulties are being reported. All of this is so helpful to the Court."

    Honorable Barbara L. Meter, 10th Judicial Circuit Court

  • “Sometimes the impact you have might just be that one or two minutes where you get a child to smile and laugh and forget about all the difficulties they’re dealing with in their life.”

    Don, CASA Volunteer

  • “I can always get a smile out of them. Make them feel more comfortable. I’m a good listener. I feel with so much going on in their lives, I’m a steady rock, a person there for them.”

    Arwanda, CASA Volunteer

Change a child's story and become a volunteer

To become a volunteer, you must be at least 21 years old, complete necessary background and reference checks, participate in an interview, finish pre-service training, be available for court appearances (with advance notice provided), and commit to the CASA program until your first case is closed.

Have a specific question?

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