We believe that all children have the right to a home with loving people to care for them. But each year in the United States, children are abused, neglected or abandoned by their families. They are removed from their homes and placed in foster care or institutions. Eventually, they end up in court. Their only "crime" is that they have been victims. It is up to the judge to decide their future.
Should they remain in foster care? Be reunited with parents? Or be adopted? In these cases, many children also become victims a second time, lost in an overburdened child welfare system that cannot pay close attention to each child whose life is in its hands.
That's where CASA comes in. CASA volunteers are Court Appointed Special Advocates for children - trained community volunteers appointed by a judge as Officers of the court to speak up for children in court, and to help to humanize the often frightening and confusing child welfare and legal systems for these children.

The County CASA programs handle the nuts and bolts of the program. They recruit and screen applicants, assist CASAs volunteers in case selection, management, training, mentoring and communication. Local programs also promote awareness of the organization in the community and hold annual fundraisers to support our mission.

CASA of Johnson County is funded through a combination of private and public funds including city, county, state and federal grants in addition to private foundations, corporations, individual contributions, and annual fundraisers.
CASA is classified as a tax-exempt 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization. The term "tax-exempt," when used in reference to nonprofit organizations, generally refers to the net profits (proceeds over and above expenses) of an organization being exempt from federal and/or state income tax. While a nonprofit organization can be established by incorporating, the entity is not automatically tax-exempt upon creation with the state. Tax-exemption can usually be achieved only through applying for and receiving Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approval.

Research studies have shown that the introduction of just one caring adult in the life of an abused child can change the course of that child's life forever. With volunteer advocates, children who have known only hurt, rejection and disappointment from adults learn to trust, and hope, and love. A court appointed volunteer advocate makes a profound and positive difference for abused children.

Judges have noted the value of the information that CASA brings to the proceedings and are appreciative of the unique and unbiased perspective presented by CASA. In addition, national studies show that a child who has been assigned a CASA volunteer spends less time in court and less time in foster care than those who do not have CASA representation.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained community member who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court.

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.

Every child with an assigned CASA voluntter 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 feel are extra difficult or need increased monitoring.

CASA volunteer's complete a total of 30 hours pre-service training which consists of 18 hours of class time, and 12 hours of homework and independent study. Preliminary training covers a wide range of topics such as cultural diversity, working with children and families, interviewing, writing court reports and much more. After training is completed, a new volunteer will be assigned a mentor for their first case. Additionally, CASA volunteers are required annually to have 12 hours of continuing education training.

After their initial training, a CASA will spend about 8-10 hours per month on a case. CASA volunteers commit to stay on a case until it is resolved, typically about 12-18 months.

Yes, the attorney ad litem (AAL) does advocate on behalf of the child in court, but has little or no contact with the child outside of the courtroom. Therefore, he or she is yet another stranger in that child's life. The AAL's role is to look out for the child's legal rights.

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 through cases, the CASA is a consistent figure in the proceedings and provides continuity for a child. Typical cases last 12 - 18 months.

CASAs come from all walks of life and possess a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. There are more than 70,000 CASAs nationally. Local programs vary in number of volunteers they utilize. Aside from their CASA work, 64 percent are employed in full- or part-time jobs; the majority tend to be professionals with 58% being college or university graduates. The majority (82%) of the advocates nationwide are women. CASA programs have a huge need for more men to volunteer. Many of the kids in care are young boys who desperately need a male role model.

Prospective volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, and undergo criminal and Child Protective Services background checks. Applicants are required to complete a volunteer application and a 30 hour training class (18 hr. class and 12 hr. independent study). Volunteers should have effective oral and written communication skills.

A CASA 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 must determine if the best interest of the child is staying with their parents or guardians, being placed in foster care, or being freed for permanent adoption. The CASA makes a recommendation on placement to the judge and follows through on the case until it is permanently resolved.