Court Appointed Special Advocates are community volunteers trained by local program directors to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. With the information provided by the CASA volunteers, judges are able to make more informed decisions as to what is best for the child.
CASA volunteers review records, gather information, and talk to everyone involved in the case: parents, teachers, foster parents, therapists, and of course, the child. The volunteer submits the information to the Guardian ad Litem (the court-appointed attorney for the child) and judge along with a recommendation. The Guardian ad Litem can then present the CASA volunteer’s findings to the judge. CASA volunteers believe that children deserve every chance to grow up in a safe, nurturing and permanent home.