What it means to be a CASA volunteer
When a child enters the foster care system because his or her home is no longer safe, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer to help them. That volunteer is a Court Appointed Special Advocate®, or a CASA.
CASA volunteers are screened, trained, supervised, and provided individualized support to advocate for the best interest of a child in foster care. They are then appointed by a judge to represent and advocate for a child’s best interest, both in the child protection system and in life. CASA volunteers are each assigned to help one child or set of siblings at a time, so they are able to focus on giving each child or sibling group the individualized advocacy and attention they deserve. CASA volunteers save taxpayers money and advocate for a child’s future by helping each child find a safe, permanent home as soon as possible.
CASA continues to provide valuable volunteer advocacy for every abused child in Bell and Coryell Counties. These volunteers serve as the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. While providing quality advocacy, CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in the child’s life as they navigate the foster care system.
These volunteers bring three critical qualities to their work:
- They focus on one case at a time.
- They bring their own unique perspectives and strengths.
- They are the primary champion for the child.