What is CASA for Children in Foster Care?

When children enter foster care, they often feel lost in a maze of court hearings, new homes, and unfamiliar faces. 

During this challenging time, one special person can make all the difference: a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. In this role, their responsibilities may include attending court hearings, talking with teachers, or simply spending time with a child to understand their hopes and fears.

What is a CASA, and What Does it Stand For?

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a network of trained community volunteers who speak up for children in foster care. 

Think of them as dedicated friends who make sure a child's voice is heard when important decisions are being made about their life.

These everyday heroes come from all walks of life, but they share one powerful mission: to make sure every child has a chance at a safe, permanent home where they can thrive. 

The History and Mission of CASA

The CASA movement began in 1977, when Seattle Judge David Soukup realized he was making decisions about children's lives without enough information. 

He came up with a brilliant yet simple idea: train community volunteers to speak up in court for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

What started as a small program in Seattle has grown into a national network of nearly 100,000 volunteers serving children in 49 states. 

The mission hasn't changed since those early days. It is to ensure every child who has experienced abuse or neglect has a caring, consistent adult to advocate for their well-being.

Today, CASA programs share a core belief that every child deserves a safe, permanent home where they can flourish. 

CASA volunteers work towards this goal by getting to know the child and everyone in their life, from teachers and doctors to family members and foster parents. 

They gather information that helps judges make better decisions about where these children should live and what medical, educational, and other services they need.

The Role of a CASA Volunteer

Being a CASA volunteer is both a serious commitment and an incredibly rewarding journey. These dedicated individuals wear many hats as they work to make a lasting difference in a child's life.

Core Responsibilities

CASA volunteers are like friends and advocates all rolled into one. They spend time getting to know the child assigned to them, usually meeting with them at least once a month. 

During these visits, they might play games, help with homework, or simply talk about what's going on in the child's life.

But their work goes far beyond these visits. CASA volunteers:

• Review medical records and school reports
• Talk to doctors, teachers, and therapists
• Meet with foster parents and biological family members
• Write detailed reports for the judge about the child's needs
• Attend all court hearings and speak up for the child's best interests

How Court Appointed Special Advocates Makes a Difference

The impact of a CASA volunteer can be life-changing for a child in foster care. These dedicated advocates step into complex situations and help create positive, lasting change in children's lives.

Supporting Children through the Court System

Imagine being a child in a courtroom full of adults discussing your future. It's overwhelming, confusing, and often scary. 

This is where CASA volunteers shine. They attend every court hearing and make sure the judge understands not just the facts of the case but who the child really is.

Advocating for the Best Interest of Children in Foster Care

CASA volunteers only manage one case at a time. 

While social workers often juggle 20 or more cases, CASA volunteers focus entirely on one child or sibling group. This focused attention makes a world of difference.

They dig deep into every aspect of the child's life, including:

• Meeting with teachers to track educational progress
• Talking with doctors about medical needs
• Checking in with therapists about emotional well-being
• Connecting with family members to understand the child's background
• Visiting the child regularly to understand their wishes and concerns

Getting Involved with CASA

Every day, more children enter the foster care system and need a voice to speak up for them. If you're feeling called to make a difference, there are several meaningful ways to get involved with CASA.

Finding Your Local CASA Program

Getting started is easy. Simply visit the National CASA Association website and enter your zip code to find the program nearest you. Local programs usually offer regular information sessions where you can:

• Meet current volunteers
• Hear real stories of impact
• Learn about the specific needs in your community
• Get answers to your questions
• Understand the time commitment involved

Remember, your local program will provide ongoing support throughout your journey. You'll have a supervisor to guide you, and fellow volunteers to learn from.

Whether you choose to become a volunteer, make a donation, or simply spread the word about CASA's mission, you'll be helping to ensure that more children in foster care have someone looking out for their best interests.

Like CASA Volunteers, Foster Parents Make All the Difference in a Child’s Life

Why not read about the experiences of children in foster care?

Get a sneak peek into the world of fostering with Letters Written with Love, a digital collection of letters from foster parents to the children in their care. 

Access your free copy now, and experience the love, hope, and joy of foster parents who have been there.