LEND YOUR VOICE
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates for children. CASA volunteers are everyday citizens like you, appointed by the courts, and trained to advocate for neglected, abused, and abandoned children placed in foster care.
A family court judge established the CASA program in 1977. He understood that foster children have a better chance at finding a permanent home if they can rely on an advocate to speak up for them in court and in the community.
More than 7,000 children placed in foster care are waiting for someone who will advocate in their best interest.
HELP A CHILD
The children CASA volunteers advocate for have abuse and neglect cases that are among the most difficult and heartbreaking. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate, you are assigned to a foster child’s case. You get to know the foster child by visiting with them and speaking with the people involved in their life. The information you gather about the case is presented to the court in a report that provides the family court judge with the information he or she needs to act in the child’s best interest.
Every child needs a caring adult in their life. Kids in foster care—many of them confused, angry, hurting and afraid—often have no consistent adult to count on. They need someone they can trust. They need an advocate.
CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE
Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers make a life-changing difference for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. As a CASA volunteer, you are able to:
- Ensure that a child is placed with loving, consistent caregivers.
- Help children—and families—access services that promote healing.
- Identify barriers to a family’s engagement in services and find ways to reduce or eliminate them.
- Advocate for appropriate educational placement and services.
- Help older youth prepare for independence.
ARE YOU READY?
To find the CASA program nearest your home or place of work, complete the form above. Once you submit the form, contact information about your local CASA program will display. Your local CASA program will reach out to you at the email address or phone number provided. They can provide you with information about upcoming training sessions and answer any questions you may have about becoming a CASA volunteer.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
CASA for Children of New Jersey
Email: info@casaofnj.org
