What it means to be a CASA volunteer

When a child enters the foster care system because his or her home is no longer safe, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer to help them. That volunteer is called a Court Appointed Special Advocate®, or CASA.

CASA volunteers are members of the community that have gone through a rigorous screening and training program in order to serve children in foster care. CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to represent and advocate for a child’s best interests and are frequently one of the main stable presences in these children’s lives.

These volunteers bring three critical qualities to their work: they focus on one case at a time; they bring a unique perspective to the court case; and their sole objective is representing the best interests of the child.