CASA for Children

The Mission of CASA is to promote and support quality volunteer representation for abused and neglected children in the state foster care system, in order to provide each child with a safe permanent nurturing home. It is our goal to educate the community regarding its responsibility for abused and neglected children and to see to the best interests of the children we serve.

CASA is a volunteer based organization, with only two paid staff. CASA volunteers help the Judge determine permanent placement for a child. If the child does not have an advocate this process can take a long time, the hope is that with the volunteer’s help, a decision about what is in the best interest of the child can be expedited, so as not to linger in the system for years. The state legislature has determined that a CASA volunteer’s duties include: independent gathering of information; facilitating prompt and thorough review of the case, promoting and protecting the best interest of the child, follow-up and monitoring of court orders and case plans; making a written report to court with recommendations concerning the child’s welfare and negotiating and advocating on behalf of the child.