Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) work with children in the dependency court system and are the heart of our agency's work.  These men and women are a special breed; they encompass all age groups, may be working, retired, or in school, and come from all kinds of backgrounds. 

After thorough interviews and screening, volunteers complete Advocate University where they learn the tools they will need to be successful advocates.  Based on the volunteer's preferences about geography, age/gender of child, and languages spoken, CASAs are matched with a child or group of siblings with whom they have contact at least once a month. 

Closely supervised and coached by a VFC professional, CASAs may choose to specialize in our Infants & Toddlers Program or our planned Early Assignment of CASA Program.  Some may work with children whose cases are targeting reunification with their parents or guardians after the completion of specific services and milestones.  Others have children on track for adoption.  Due to each child's unique qualities and needs, each case is different.   

Many of our children are not able to reunify with their parents or guardians; they are in long-term foster care and have special needs to ensure they do not languish in the system.  Advocates for this group often become involved in their educational progress, making sure they receive the services to help them succeed in school.  As they to "aging out" of the dependency system, CASAs help their foster teens prepare for adulthood, for instance by encouraging them to graduate from high school or obtain their GED, and by helping them prepare for and apply to college, a vocational program, or job training.

Advocates receive training to empower them for their diverse responsibilities.  These responsibilities may include investigating legal issues, determining and making recommendations about the living placement of the child, following the children's progress through various placements or services, and facilitating communication with all of the parties involved with a case.  CASAs make a volunteer commitment of at least 18 months.