The goal of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is to prevent abused and neglected children from becoming lost in Child Protective Services. The objective of appointing a CASA volunter, a trained advocate from the community, is to ensure that the child's best interest is represented.

The program receives referrals directly from the courts. CASA's are matched to the child and provide approximately 10-12 hours of service per month of casework. After reviewing the case information, the volunteer consults with the program staff to develop a case plan. Prior to each court hearing, the volunteer prepares a court report which includes evaluations and recommendations for the child. The judge reads and considers the CASA report in addition to the case worker's report prior to making his decision. All appointed volunteers are carefully screened and receive 30 hours of training in skills necessary to fulfill his or her responsibilities.

CASA volunteers are in a unique position because they can provide information not usually available to the court. Because of the growing number of cases filed court and over burdened resources to adequately serve these cases, judges find the CASA volunteers' reports to be positive complements to the information necessary to make well-informed decisions.

In addition to our services to abused and neglected children, the CASA program works to provide the community education concerning the issue of child abuse, neglect, and child welfare policy. We are also committed to working toward public policies that promote child abuse prevention and to address reforms in the Child Protective Services/Foster Care Systems.