Traditional

CASA’s mission is to help ensure every child grows up in a safe, stable, and permanent home. The children served by CASA have entered the Juvenile Dependency Court system due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and when caregivers cannot keep them safe, child welfare and the courts intervene to protect their well-being. CASA volunteers are sworn officers of the court who provide judges with independent, child-focused information by reviewing records, interviewing key individuals in the child’s life, and preparing written reports with recommendations based on the child’s best interests. They attend all related court hearings, advocate for services, placement stability, and permanency, and in some cases may be granted educational rights to help make school-related decisions and ensure appropriate supports are in place. CASA volunteers also advocate beyond the courtroom—collaborating with schools, service providers, and caregivers to coordinate services and clearly communicate the child’s needs—while receiving ongoing training, supervision, and support from CASA program staff to help them effectively navigate complex systems and provide consistent, stable advocacy throughout the life of the case.