April Shared Offering: CASA

The mission of Champaign County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is “Speaking up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system.” CASA is a not-for-profit organization that trains and monitors volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA is also the Guardian ad Litem for children in the foster care system in Champaign County, and provides an attorney for every child.

In Champaign County, almost 400 children are currently in foster care because of caregiver abuse or neglect. The needs of an individual child can easily fall through the cracks in this overburdened foster care system. These children are the most vulnerable segment of our society. They have been hurt by the people they trust the most. They are traumatized and frightened. They range in age from birth to 18 years, with about 35% under age 6. These children really need someone to speak on their behalf. This is where CASA comes in.

CASA’s service is unique and crucial. The CASA program was designed by a judge who saw that these children needed individual attention that only trained volunteers could provide. Also, judges needed access to better information for making life-shaping placement decisions. Without CASA, judges have very little information on which to base these monumental decisions concerning children’s lives and whether or not families will stay together. CASA advocates gather information about everyone involved in the child’s life and report to the judges, giving judges valuable insights which allow them to make the best possible permanent placements.

CASA not only responds to the immediate crisis of abuse, but also provides caring support and advocacy throughout the foster care experience. For many abused children, a CASA advocate is the one constant, caring adult in their life. In addition to working toward finding safe, permanent homes for these children, CASA strives to help them access community resources that can provide the support they need to succeed in school, raise their self-esteem, and create hope for a brighter future.

Guardian ad Litem contracts from the County fund one-quarter of CASA’s budget. The remainder comes from donations and grants which must be continually renewed.