- What is a CASA volunteer?
- What is the role of a CASA volunteer?
- How do CASA volunteers investigate a case?
- How are CASA volunteers different from social workers?
- How are CASA volunteers different from attorneys?
- Is there a "typical" CASA volunteer?
- How do CASA volunteers advocate for children?
- How many cases does a CASA volunteer carry at a time?
- Do lawyers, judges, and social caseworkers support CASA?
- Does the federal government support CASA?
- How many CASA programs exist?
- How effective are CASA programs?
- How much time is required to volunteer?
- How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved?
- Are there other agencies or groups providing a similar service?
- What children are assigned CASA volunteers?
- What does the National CASA Association provide?
- How is CASA funded?
- How can I find the CASA program in my community?
- How do I get more information about becoming a CASA volunteer?
What is a CASA Volunteer?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. Children helped by CASA volunteers are involved in the Family Court system because they have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
What is the role of a CASA Volunteer?
A CASA volunteer provides a judge with carefully researched background details about the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child's future. Each home placement case is as unique as the child involved. The CASA volunteer must determine if the best interest of the child is staying with his or her parents or guardians, being placed in foster care, or being freed for permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer makes a recommendation on placement to the judge and follows through on the case until it is permanently resolved.
How do CASA volunteers investigate a case?
To prepare a recommendation, the CASA volunteer talks with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history. The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child: school, medical, caseworker reports, and other documents.
How are CASA volunteers different from social service caseworkers?
Social workers generally are employed by state governments and sometimes work on as many as 60 to 90 cases at a time; thus they are frequently unable to conduct a comprehensive investigation of each case. The CASA volunteer has a smaller caseload (average of 1-2 cases) and more time to investigate a case. The CASA volunteer does not replace a social worker on a case; they are an independent appointee of the court. The CASA volunteer thoroughly examines a child's case, knows about various community resources and makes recommendations to the court independent of state agency restrictions.
How are CASA volunteers different from attorneys?
The CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation in the courtroom-that is the role of the attorney. However, the CASA volunteer does provide crucial background information that assists attorneys in presenting their cases. It is important to remember that CASA volunteers do not represent a child's wishes in court. Rather, they speak for the child's best interests.
Is there a "typical" CASA volunteer?
CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and possess a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. There are more than 70,000 CASA volunteers nationally. Local programs vary in number of volunteers they utilize. Aside from their CASA volunteer work, 64 percent are employed in full- or part-time jobs; the majority tends to be professionals with 58% college or university graduates. The majority (82%) of the volunteers nationwide are women.
How do CASA volunteers advocate for children?
CASA volunteers offer children trust and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. They help explain to the child the events happening involving the case, reasons they are in court, and the roles of the judge, lawyers, and caseworkers. While remaining objective observers, CASA volunteers also encourage the child to express his or her own opinion and hopes about the case.
How many cases does a CASA volunteer carry at a time?
Typically CASA volunteers will carry only one case at a time. As that case nears completion or activity becomes low, a volunteer may receive a second case after careful consultation with his or her staff supervisor.
Do lawyers, judges, and social caseworkers support CASA?
Yes. Fayette County Family Court Judges appoint CASA volunteers. They, as well as local representatives of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, have expressed their desire to see CASA grow. CASA has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Does the federal government support CASA?
CASA is a priority project of the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The office encourages the establishment of new CASA programs, assists established CASA programs, and provides partial funding for the National CASA Association.
How many CASA programs exist?
There are now 950+ CASA programs in the United States. They can be found in every state across the country and even in Washington DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
How effective are CASA programs?
Findings show that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend receive necessary services sooner, for a longer duration, and more consistently than those children without a CASA volunteer. Judges have observed that CASA-advocated children also have better chances of finding permanent homes.
How much time is required to volunteer?
Each case is different. A CASA volunteer usually spends about 10 hours doing research and conducting interviews prior to the first court appearance. More complicated cases take longer. Once initiated into the system, volunteers work about 5-10 hours a month for an average of 1-2 years per case.
How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved?
The volunteer continues until the case is permanently resolved. One of the primary benefits of the CASA program is that unlike other court principals who often rotate cases, the CASA volunteer is a consistent figure in the proceedings and provides continuity for a child. To ensure stability, the CASA Project of Lexington asks its volunteers for a minimal commitment of one year.
Are there other agencies or groups providing a similar service?
No. There are other child advocacy organizations, but CASA is the only program where volunteers are appointed by the court to represent a child's best interests.
What children are assigned CASA volunteers?
Every child with an assigned CASA volunteer is in the Family Court system and has been removed from his or her home due to abuse, neglect, or dependency. Because CASA can only serve a portion of the Court's current caseload, cases are assigned at the discretion of the presiding judge; CASAs are usually assigned to those cases that a judge feels are extra difficult or need increased monitoring.
What does the National CASA Association provide?
The National CASA Association is a nonprofit organization that represents and serves the local CASA programs. It provides training, technical assistance, research, media, and public awareness services to members.
How is CASA funded?
The CASA Project of Lexington, Inc. is funded by a unique combination of public and private funds. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government provides in-kind support, such as office space, and employs the Program Director. Other staff and program expenses are funded by grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual gifts. The National CASA Association is funded through a combination of private grants, federal funds (U.S. Justice Department), memberships, and contributions.
How can I find the CASA program in my community?
CASA programs are known by a variety of names, including Guardian ad Litem, ProKids, Child Advocates, Inc., and Voices for Children, to name a few. If you live outside the Lexington area and cannot find a program in your area, contact the National CASA Association for referral.
How do I get more information about becoming a CASA volunteer or joining the National CASA Association?
To become a volunteer in Lexington, please visit our Become a Volunteer section. Outside Lexington, please visit the National CASA site by clicking the link below.
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CASA of Lexington
1155 Red Mile Road
Lexington, KY 40504
Phone: (859) 246-4313
Contact Us
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National CASA Association
100 West Harrison Street
North Tower, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: (206) 270-0072 or
(800) 628-3233
Fax: (206) 270-0078
Web: www.nationalcasa.org
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Copyright © 1999 National CASA Association/CASA of Lexington. All rights reserved. Revised: 2009