COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE
SPEAK UP FOR A CHILD
What is CASA?
All children have a right to a home with loving people to care for them. But each years in the United States, millions of children are abused, neglected or abandoned by their families. Over 430,000 of them removed from their homes and placed in foster care or institutions. Eventually, they end up in court. Their only crimes that they have been victims.
It is up to the judge to decide their future. Should they remain in foster care? Be reunited with parents? Or, be adopted?
In these cases, many children also become victims a second time, lost in an overburdened child welfare system that cannot pay close attention to each child whose life is in its hands. Sometimes a child can remain adrift in foster care for months even years.
That's where CASA come in.
CASA volunteers are Court Appointed Special Advocates for children-training community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court.
What does a CASA volunteer do?
CASA volunteers are men and women who want help their communities"s children. The work for the judge alongside attorneys and social workers as appointed officers of the court.
When a CASA volunteer is appointed to a child's care, he or she is responsible for taking the time to find out as much as possible about that child. CASA volunteers search for information. They review records. Interview parents. Talk to teachers, neighbors and most important, the child.
These volunteers then appear in court to recommend to the judge what's best for a child's future
You can become a CASA volunteer.
Are you a mature, responsible adult? Can you talk to people who are having problems? Do you have time to commit? Do you care about children? If you answer "yes," then you may qualify to be a CASA volunteer.
CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. They have a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. No special experience is required. Volunteers are selected on the basis of their objectivity, competence and commitment.
Once accepted, volunteers are trained. They learn about courtroom procedure, the social service and juvenile court systems, and the special needs of children who have been abused and neglected.
It takes about 10 to 15 hours a month to be a CASA volunteer. It's hard work, and very gratifying. If you are interested, contact your local CASA program or the National CASA Association.
You can start a CASA program.
There are CASA programs operating in nearly every state. Volunteers are known by many names. Volunteer Guardians, Ad Litem, Child Advocates, and Voices for Children, to name a few.
But many jurisdictions still need CASA programs to speak for children in court.
If your community does not have a CASA program, the National CASA Association can help you start one. We offer resource materials, funding, training, referral and support. Just write or call, and we will be glad to assist your.
You can support The National CASA Association.
The National CASA Association is a nonprofit organization created to support the development, growth and continuation of CASA programs.
Our purpose: for every abused and neglected child who need to have a CASA volunteer.
We can teach that goal-with the help of concerned people like you. Please take a moment to send a contribution today.
Your gift can help new programs get started. It can ensure that existing programs continue to grow. And, it can make a lasting difference in the life of a child.
There is a CASA Program near you.
There are abused and neglected children in your community who need support. Your local CASA program is only a phone call away. Become a volunteer, make a contribution. Or, simply tell others about how CASA is helping children during a frightening and bewildering time.
Speak up for a Child. Contact the CASA program in your area today.
"As a Judge, I had to make tough decisions. I had to decide whether to take a child from the only home he's ever known, or leave him some place where he might possibly be abused. I needed some-one who could tell me what was best for that child from the child's viewpoint. That's what CASA does."
David Sockup
Founder of CASA
"A CASA Volunteer is often the only voice of reason in a abused child's chaotic life."
Judge Robert R. Gockensmith
Ft. Wayne, Indiana
For more information, Write or Call:
The National CASA Association
100 W. Harrison Street
North Tower, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98119
(800) 628-3233
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