Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in protective custody.
A CASA volunteer is a well-trained individual who wants to change lives. Someone who can devote the time necessary to listen to the child, investigate their concerns and situation and provide that information to the Court to consider that represents the best interest of the child.
CASAs changes lives. You are not tethered to an overburdened caseload and they are not responsible for focusing on the entire family. They are not responsible for providing appropriate legal representation but rather mentorship and support.
A CASA is not designed to be an adversary to the social worker or the attorney, but rather is an important member of the team whose ultimate goal is the best interest of that child. With our 30 hour pre-service training program you will learn to see what is important for the child’s interests.
For many neglected and abused children, their CASA volunteer is the only reliable adult presence in their lives.
CASA volunteers handle just one or two cases at a time, so they can give the children the sustained, personal attention they deserve. Volunteers stay with children until they are placed in loving permanent homes. For many abused children, a CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in their lives.
CASAs are the voice of the child in the court system. The CASA is focused on seeing that the child’s best interests are served.
The purpose of Lyon County CASA is to recruit, train and support court appointed special advocates so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive! Fill out the volunteer application today!