On any given day, between 800 and 1,000 children in Washoe County are under the jurisdiction of the court because it is not safe for them to remain at home. Parental substance abuse, domestic violence, and untreated mental health issues are common pathways for a family to come to the attention of social services. Once a child is removed from his or her home, that child has increased vulnerabilities and risks that are often exacerbated by the absence of trusted adults in their lives.
Research on CASA confirms that assigning a CASA volunteer can positively impact the outcome of a case, particularly in terms of the number of out-of-home placements and time spent in out-of-home care. Washoe CASA volunteers provide consistent one-on-one advocacy, carefully evaluating and addressing the needs of the children. CASA advocates not only keep children safe now, they also help children develop the resiliency to remain safe and move into successful lives.