Children with advocates reach a permanent home faster.

For a child, having a caring, consistent adult to put your best interests before all others’ can make all the difference. CASA volunteers help children find the road home, wherever it lies.

CASA volunteers work to help a child reach home

Our volunteers get to know the child − they listen; they talk to the people in the child’s life to find out what they need to heal and thrive; they make sure the child is safe; and they help the child reach a safe, permanent home.
We know children do best when they can safely remain with their parents or with other family members. CASA/GAL volunteers work with experts and service providers to identify and recommend services aimed at keeping families intact or returning children safely to family members.
When that is not possible, advocates work to help the child reach another safe and stable forever home.

CASA volunteers work with families of origin and extended family.

Most children who are placed in out-of-home care will reunify with their families of origin.
CASA/GAL volunteers identify barriers to families’ engagement in services and find ways to reduce or eliminate them. Volunteers are trained in cultural competency. They create supportive environments for families from all walks of life.
Volunteers encourage connections with extended family, when possible. These connections give children a sense of belonging and unconditional love.

Enabling Children’s Well-Being Over Time

Children’s well-being includes the characteristics and skills that enable them to understand and navigate the world in a healthy, positive way. Well-being is related to children’s physical health and their social, behavioral and emotional functioning. CASA/GAL volunteers identify, recommend and ensure children receive the services that will support their well-being – from early childhood through their transition to adulthood.

Supporting early development

CASA volunteers work to ensure young children are in placements with loving, consistent caregivers. For infants and young children, a strong, nurturing and consistent relationship to caregivers is key to healthy development.

Enabling school-aged children to succeed

CASA volunteers advocate for appropriate educational placement and services. Children in foster care are more likely to struggle academically, or to be identified as having a disability.

Helping youth prepare for independence

Advocates help youth set and achieve post-secondary and career training goals. Many must depend fully on themselves, but also often lack the preparation others their age have had for independent living.