Henrico County Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc. (CASA)

Henrico CASA is a nonprofit organization committed to advocating for the best interests of children involved in the Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court process. The Henrico CASA program recruits, screens, trains, and supervises volunteers dedicated to representing the needs of abused and neglected children, children in juvenile dependency proceedings, and children in need of services or supervision. The volunteers promote safe permanent homes for all children and seek to educate the community concerning the needs of abused and neglected children.

Henrico CASA is the only court advocacy program for abused and neglected children in Henrico County and directly impacts the administration of justice for these most vulnerable citizens. CASA volunteers complete an independent evaluation of each child’s circumstances, focusing on the safety and well-being of the child, and help the child and family to understand the sometimes confusing court process. The advocates speak to all caregivers, family members, and case professionals, visit regularly with the child, and review the child’s health, mental health, and school records. As mandated reporters of abuse or neglect, they report any concerns about the child’s situation to Child Protective Services.

CASA volunteers work closely with the child’s social worker and the guardian ad litem attorney appointed for the child, providing much-needed information to both. Volunteers also collaborate with all professionals who provide case management, legal representation, and counseling services to help ensure that the child remains safe and can be placed in a permanent home in a reasonable period of time. The final work product of each advocate’s efforts is a detailed report to the Court, complete with a case history, documented factual finding, and recommendations of family stabilization services.

In addition to Henrico CASA’s court advocacy program, the organization works to promote and participate in collaborative efforts with other child-serving agencies on behalf of abused, at-risk, and truant children and to raise community awareness in this area.