When children can no longer stay safely in their homes because of parental substance abuse, mental health challenges, and/or criminal activity, Child Welfare Services and the Juvenile Court begin the careful and complex process of determining where and with whom the child will live and whether the child can eventually be returned to his or her parent(s). In addition to having a social worker, an attorney, and often a therapist, nearly every child who enters the court system is assigned a CASA, a Court Appointed Special Advocate by the dependency court judge.
The role of a CASA is to focus on a single child or sibling group and help support that child by visiting regularly, learning the child’s perspective and situation, and documenting factual information for the dependency court judge. A CASA serves the child by advocating for him or her in the court and community, collaborating with the child’s social worker, attorney, and service providers to make sure the child’s needs are being met while in the court and child welfare systems.
CASAs also have the option of working with a teen on probation, joining a team to help provide guidance and support for a youth in need of it.
CASAs are caring, committed, community volunteers who are screened, trained, and fully supported by Child Advocates of Nevada County. After a successful application, volunteers attend a 35 hour training to prepare for their assignment and often stay involved in the child’s life and court case for 12-18 months or longer. CASAs help make sure that the child or youth is safe, well, and placed as quickly as possible in a permanent and loving home.
For more information and/or to apply to the program, visit www.considercasa.com, or contact Program Manager, Melinda Douros at Melinda@caofnc.org, 530-265-9550 ext. 222.
Consider investing in the life of a child. Consider becoming a CASA.