About CASA
What is CASA?
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.
What does the County CASA Program provide?
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 fund raiser to support our mission.
How is CASA funded?
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 fund raisers.
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.
How does CASA make a difference?
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.
How effective has CASA been?
Children who have been assigned a CASA volunteer spend less time in court and less time in foster care than those who do not have a CASA. They find safe, permanent homes more quickly.
What does the State CASA Program provide?
The State CASA Office assists the county offices by tracking legislature bills, maintains an information web site, provides training to CASAs and staff, facilitates development of outreach campaigns and provides general support to the county programs.
What does the National CASA Program provide?
The National CASA Association is a non-profit organization that represents and serves the local CASA programs. It provides training, technical assistance, research, news and public awareness service to members, as well as providing competitive grant funding to individual programs.
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.
Volunteers
What is a CASA volunteer?
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.
How does the role of a CASA volunteer differ from an attorney?
An attorney is charged with representing their client's legal interests and with following the wishes of their client. CASA is appointed as the child's Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and is responsible for making recommendations about what things would be best for the child. The CASA volunteer will write and file reports with the court. The CASA volunteer provides crucial background information that assists the court in decision making.
What children are assigned CASA volunteers?
Children who are victims of abuse and neglect who have become wards of the court are assigned CASA volunteers. A CASA may be requested by any party in the case. A Judge will assign CASA to the case. CASA?s are only assigned to abuse and neglect cases.
What kind of training do CASA volunteers receive?
CASA volunteer's complete a total of 30 hours pre-service training which consists of 16 hours of class time, and 14 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.
How much time does being a CASA volunteer require?
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.
Doesn't the child have an attorney who represents his interest?
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.
How long does a CASA 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 through cases, the CASA is a consistent figure in the proceedings and provides continuity for a child. Typical cases last 12 - 18 months.
Is there a "typical" CASA?
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.
What are the requirements for becoming a CASA Volunteer?
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 (16 hr. class and 14 hr. independent study). Volunteers should have effective oral and written communication skills.
What is the CASA volunteer's role?
A CASA volunteer provides a judge with carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child's future. The CASA volunteer must determine if it is in a child's best interest to return to his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, be placed with other relatives, or be freed for permanent adoption.
What about the child's social worker?
There are many professionals who are involved in the lives of victimized children. Unfortunately, their role is sometimes limited by time constraints. An overburdened social service system makes frequent visits difficult. Social service workers are required to see their clients once every four to six weeks. By law, they must advocate on behalf of the parents' rights as well as the child's and endeavor to reunify the family.
How does a CASA relate to the child that he/she serves?
CASA volunteers offer the child trust and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. With the sometimes frequent changes in people and placement, the CASA may be the only constant in the child's life. CASA volunteers encourage the child to express his or her own opinions, while remaining objective.
How does a CASA volunteer 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 and caseworker reports; and other documents.
How many cases on average does a CASA volunteer carry at a time?
Typically each CASA carries one case at a time, allowing them to focus on the particular needs of one child or sibling group.
