Help Give a Child a Voice in McHenry County

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is an everyday citizen, specially trained by CASA of McHenry County, to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care. We advocate in Juvenile Abuse Court for the best interests and safety of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. These amazing volunteers are appointed by the Juvenile Court Judge to children ages birth - 21 years to act as the eyes and ears of the judge and the voice of the child.

An Advocate develops a relationship with the child, gathers information, and facilitates partnerships between key people in the child’s life. These volunteers speak for the child through a court report to ensure the child’s needs are met. The ultimate goal of a CASA is to help ensure every child has a safe, loving, forever home through reunification or adoption.

The role of a CASA is to give a child a voice in court and be the eyes and ears for the judge by providing an accurate picture of the child's wants and needs.

The CASA is expected to:

• visit with the child twice each month, thus developing a caring relationship to be able to assess the child's on-going needs
• explore the child's situation and needs by contacting people in the child's life
• observe parent/child visitations
• submit reports for the court

When sworn in as a friend of the court, a CASA continues to advocate for the best interests of the child for the entire length of the case until permanency is achieved and the case is closed. One of the best gifts a CASA brings is the presence of a consistent, concerned adult in a child's life.

Check out the website for the next info session date! www.CASAMcHenryCounty.org