Pulaski County CASA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization serving children in Pulaski and Perry counties who have experienced abuse and/or neglect
Judges appoint CASA volunteer advocates to represent the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Each year, more than 600,000 children experience foster care in this country. Because there are not enough CASA volunteers to represent all of the children in care, judges typically assign CASA volunteers to their most difficult cases.
CASA staff members train volunteer advocates to work on behalf of vulnerable children in the court system. Advocates are then appointed by judges to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates. These advocates speak out for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes.
CASA staff members train volunteer advocates to work on behalf of vulnerable children in the court system. Advocates are then appointed by judges to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates. These advocates speak out for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes.
CASAs interview parents, teachers, foster families, counselors, and the child. With this information, they submit reports to the court. Judges are then able to make more informed decisions about what is in the best interests of the child.
A CASA’s goals are to ensure each child has a safe and permanent home, give them a voice, and advocate for their safety and specific needs.
Children with CASA advocates are likely to spend less time in foster care, are less likely to be bounced from home to home, and do better in school. They are half as likely to re-enter foster care and have more services provided to them due to the CASA advocates speaking up for their best interests in court.