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 continues to provide volunteer advocacy for children in Bell and Coryell Counties who have experienced abuse and neglect. 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.