Fact Sheet
Court
Appointed Special Advocates
The mission of CASA
is to expedite the process through which abused and/or neglected children are
found permanent, safe homes and to advocate on the children's behalf when
necessary. A CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a trained
community member appointed by the juvenile court judge to represent the best
interest of a child in court by providing the court with a carefully researched
background of the child. CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is an independent
private, non-profit agency which is a member of the national CASA network which
began in 1977 and is now composed of more than 900 agencies in all fifty states.
The CASA
volunteer, after investigation, makes recommendations about placement and
services and monitors a case until it is permanently resolved. The volunteer
must determine whether to recommend that it is in the child's best interest to
stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in an alternative home as a
foster home, or be freed for permanent adoption. A volunteer advocates when
necessary to insure that the child is receiving necessary services and watches
the case to be sure that the child does not become lost in a complex system.
In order to
prepare a recommendation the CASA volunteer talks with the child, parents and
other family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and
others who are knowledgeable about the child. The CASA volunteer also reviews
written records pertaining to the child.
The CASA
volunteer does not replace workers from other agencies involved in a case. The
volunteer is an independent appointee of the court, normally has only one to
three cases at a time, and can make recommendations independent of state and
federal agency restrictions.
CASA
volunteers come from all walks of life with a wide variety of professional,
educational, and ethnic backgrounds. They may be employed, retired, or not
employed as long as there is some daytime availability for occasional court
appearances. Nationally there are more than 52,000 volunteers. Volunteers must
pass a comprehensive background check and screening process.
CASA
volunteers must successfully complete a thorough training course and then are
assigned to shadow a more experienced volunteer prior to having sole
responsibility for a case. The training includes instruction on the court and
child welfare systems, child abuse and neglect, relevant state and federal laws,
permanency planning and family preservation, and the role and responsibility of
a CASA volunteer. There is also in-service training on a regular basis and
volunteers receive ongoing assistance and support from the CASA staff.
CASA
volunteers offer children trust, advocacy, and continuity during complex legal
proceedings, but a CASA volunteer does not become a friend to the child or the
other parties involved.
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