Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

SUPPORTING SAFE, PERMANENT HOMES FOR CHILDREN AT RISK

Imagine you are a child again.  You have been abused and neglected and soon, a Family Court judge will decide where you will live.  You have never felt so alone and you need someone to help make sure you’re safe and cared for.

Each year nearly 40,000 New York State children are in foster care while authorities investigate more than 45,000 new reports of indicated child abuse or neglect.

Every day, these children, through no fault of their own, enter the child protective system, which works with families, foster parents and treatment providers to ensure their safety.

CASA Volunteers

The court system is intimidating for most adults…so imagine what it must be like for abused and neglected children.  They feel alone and helpless, being forced to face an uncertain future through no fault of their own.

Enter CASA

These volunteers work with family courts to make sure that each child’s voice is heard.  CASA volunteers come from all walks of life…ordinary people with an extraordinary commitment to helping children find a save and “forever” home.

What do CASA Volunteers Do?

After an intensive 30 hour formal training, CASA volunteers are sworn in by a judge and given the authority to speak with and collect information relating to specifically assigned Family Court cases.

Since CASA volunteers take on only one or two cases at a time; they are able to focus their time and energy to find out as much as possible about each child’s situation.

In addition to meeting the child assigned to them, volunteers talk with lawyers, social workers, parents and relative of the child, treatment providers, school officials, foster parents, and others who know the child’s circumstances.

How do CASA Volunteers Help?

Because of the sheer volume of cases in family courts, there is a limit to the amount of time that can be spent on each individual case.  The CASA volunteers supplies the Family Court Judge with the most current and complete information possible in order for him/her to decide whether children at risk should be returned to their homes, kept in foster care, or be released for adoption. The CASA volunteer does this in the form of a formal report to the court to assist the judge in making the best decision on safe placement.

And the Advocate is not done.  The volunteers stay on their assigned cases until release by the judge so that they can continue to monitor court orders and make sure that the child remains safe.

What Can I Do?

• Volunteer- become a CASA volunteer and speak up for a child in need.
• Make a contribution-your donation will help us maintain critical support for abused and neglected children.
• In-kind donations of supplies, services, or equipment aid in our efforts.
• Share your skills-from fundraising to board committee work, use your skills to assist at either the State Association or our local CASA program.
  
  

To learn more about our local CASA program contact:

Linda Burns, Director
Phone: .518.842.3762. Ext. 207
Email:.. casa@centrocivico.org

Important links:

© Centro Civico of Amsterdam, Inc.  2007
Website designed and created by John Bojnowski