CASA for Children, Inc.

Mission: It is the mission of CASA for Children to ensure the rights to safety within the home, and permanency in a family, are protected through advocacy and education within Judicial District 15, State of Oklahoma.

In 1977, a Seattle juvenile court judge, concerned about making drastic decisions with insufficient information, conceived the idea of citizen volunteers speaking up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom. From that first program has grown a network of nearly 1,000 CASA programs across 49 states and the District of Columbia.

CASA for children, Inc. was established in 1997 and serves the children of Muskogee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner Counties. The mission of CASA for Children, a voice for children, is to ensure the rights to safety within the home, and permanency in a family, are protected through advocacy and education within Judicial District 15, State of Oklahoma.

CASA volunteers are trained, dedicated adults who advocate for a child's best interest in juvenile court. Volunteers get to know the child by spending time with them each month in addition to talking with those involved in the child's life: parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers, and others. The information they gather is used to inform the judge of what the child's needs are.

CASA volunteers have a profound impact on the children whom they serve. A child with a CASA volunteer is:

*More likely to be adopted;

*Half as likely to re-enter foster care;

*Substantially less likely to remain in long-term foster care;

*More likely to have a plan for permanency;

*More likely to do well in school;

*Likely to receive more services than those without a CASA volunteer.

CASA volunteers are everyday people. You do not have to be a lawyer or social worker to volunteer. We welcome people from all walks of life. As a volunteer, you will be thoroughly trained and well supported by professional staff to help you through each case.

In 2019, 124 advocates spoke up for the best interests of over 300 children. More children need a voice. Applying to become a CASA volunteer is easy! Learn more by visiting our webpage at www.casaok.org or contact our office at (918) 686-8199.