What is CASA?
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA Volunteers are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for children who are in the judicial system because they have been the subject of some type of abuse or neglect.
All children have the right to a home with loving people to care for them, but each year in the 17th Judicial District of Arkansas more than twelve hundred children are abused, neglected, or abandoned by their families. Eventually they may end up in foster care with a case in juvenile court. Their only “crime” is that they have been victims. It is up to a judge to decide their future. Some of the questions that have to be answered to make this decision are:
- Should the child remain in foster care for the time being?
- Should the child be reunited with their parents?
- Has the child been in foster care before?
- Are the parents willing or able to make necessary changes to provide a safe home for their child?
CASA Volunteers “provide another set of eyes and ears” for the judge as he or she attempts to make decisions about the case.
How effective are CASA programs?
Studies show that children who have a CASA Volunteer:
- Are more likely to find a safe, permanent home.
- Are more likely to succeed in school.
- Are half as likely to re-enter the foster care system.
The CASA Volunteer plays a vital role in helping make these things happen!
What is the CASA Volunteer’s role?
CASA Volunteers are ordinary citizens who come from all walks of life. They are trained to work alongside Department of Human Services (DHS) caseworkers, attorneys, and caregivers to help the judge decide what is in the best interest of the child.
Each CASA Volunteer is assigned a case for which they are trained on how to gather information about the child and his or her individual situation.
CASA of White County enjoys a very good relationship with the court, attorneys, DHS, medical and mental health providers, schools, and foster parent agencies. Volunteers gather information to assist these parties in making the best decisions regarding the progression of the child’s case. Ultimately, the judge will make his or her decisions based on the information presented in court.
The CASA Volunteer gets to know the child and their situation thoroughly and is able to be a credible voice for that child in court to assist the judge in making his or her decision about the child’s future.