Legal Definitions - CASA volunteer

A CASA volunteer, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a specially trained and court-appointed individual who serves as an independent voice for children involved in the dependency court system. These are cases where children have been removed from their homes due to alleged abuse or neglect.

The primary role of a CASA volunteer is to advocate for the child's best interests. They achieve this by:

• Conducting thorough, independent investigations into the child's circumstances, often speaking with the child, parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, and social workers.
• Monitoring the child's well-being and the services they receive while in the foster care system.
• Submitting detailed reports to the court with findings and recommendations to help the judge make informed decisions about the child's future, such as placement, therapy, or family reunification.

Essentially, a CASA volunteer ensures that the child's needs and wishes are heard and considered throughout the complex legal process, acting solely on behalf of the child.

Here are some examples of how a CASA volunteer might be involved:

• Example 1: A young child in foster care due to parental neglect.

  Imagine a five-year-old named Lily who has been placed in foster care because her parents consistently failed to provide adequate food and supervision. A CASA volunteer is assigned to Lily's case. The volunteer regularly visits Lily in her foster home, speaks with her kindergarten teacher about her development, reviews reports from the child protective services agency, and attends all court hearings. The CASA volunteer might recommend to the judge that Lily receive play therapy to address emotional trauma and advocate for consistent visitation with a supportive grandparent, even as the court considers the long-term plan for Lily's permanent placement.

  This example illustrates how a CASA volunteer conducts an independent investigation, monitors the child's well-being in foster care, and advocates for specific services and relationships that are in the child's best interest.

• Example 2: A teenager navigating multiple foster placements.

  Consider David, a 14-year-old who has been in the foster care system for two years after his parents' struggles with substance abuse led to his removal. He has moved between three different foster homes and is now expressing a strong desire to live with his older, stable aunt in another state. A CASA volunteer would be crucial in this situation. The volunteer would spend time talking with David to understand his wishes, investigate the aunt's home environment and her capacity to care for David, and research the legal requirements for an interstate placement. They would then present a comprehensive report to the judge, outlining David's preferences and the viability of the proposed placement, advocating for a stable and supportive environment that respects David's voice.

  This example demonstrates the CASA volunteer's role in ensuring the child's voice is heard, conducting independent assessments of potential placements, and advocating for a specific outcome that aligns with the child's expressed needs and well-being.

• Example 3: A toddler with complex medical needs.

  Suppose a two-year-old named Leo was removed from his parents due to severe physical abuse and has ongoing medical needs requiring frequent specialist appointments. His current foster parents are struggling to manage the numerous doctor visits and understand Leo's complex medical conditions. A CASA volunteer would step in to ensure Leo's medical care is consistent and appropriate. The volunteer would communicate with Leo's doctors to understand his prognosis and treatment plan, work with the social worker to ensure the foster parents receive adequate support or that a new placement can better meet his needs, and report back to the court on the consistency and quality of his medical care. They would advocate for any necessary resources to support Leo's health and recovery.

  This example highlights the CASA volunteer's role in monitoring the provision of critical services (medical care), advocating for specific needs, and providing independent oversight to ensure the child's fundamental well-being is prioritized.