What Is a CASA?
Monday July 28, 2008
I have heard of CASA before, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, but have only fostered one child who has an appointed CASA. This is probably because there are not enough to go around.
CASA workers are not concerned with what anyone else on the team wants or needs, their concern is for the child. Learn more about CASA volunteers and consider becoming one yourself. There is a great need for more CASA volunteers and it is one way to help a foster child. If you are unable to foster at this time help a foster child out by becoming a CASA voluteer.
What a wonderful way to make a difference in a child’s life! Thanks for sharing this — I’m going to post a link at EMN. Blessings, Heidi
I became a CASA volunteer in 1996 and have volunteered with several children. Its an incredible experience to work with children who need our help so desperately. And, they are really great kids! With 900 programs nation-wide, there’s probably a CASA program near you. Most have a large list of children waiting for their own CASA volunteer.
Heidi,
Thank you for such a wonderful comment!
Kevin,
Thank you for the work you do as a CASA! I hope your words will bring another volunteer to the ranks.
A CASA worker broke my family apart. From the start I felt this CASA worker was jealous, unsupportive, and negative towards my family. Not only did the CASA worker treat my parents wrong but they broke up an happy home. My mother took in a 7 week old baby and has had her up until today. She eventually took in her 9 year old sister and her 8 year old brother. The children were misbehaving in the home and in school. At home the behaviors were more severe. When my parents seek help for the children, the CASA workers accused my parents of lying and began crearing lies. The CASA worker had an IEP redone after a recent IEP stated these children’s emotion, mental and psychological problems. The CASA’s job is suppose to be to advocate for the children and to help them find a good home. The children love our home. We have bonded like a loving family and the children have grown so much. The CASA workers told the judge my family was not fit for the 3 children and now the children will be leaving. This is a sad story because the children do not want to leave. My family never saw this coming. This CASA worker has ruined my families life. We had the baby from 7 weeks old till 11 months and she is clueless as to what is transpiring. Can somebody help me find justice? If not how do I get the children a new CASA worker for futures sake? Please help me I have been in tears for days.
I am interested in becoming a CASA worker and I came acorss comment # 4. This would be a real fear that I would have for myself. The last thing that I would want to do is to make more drama in a child’s life. If the CASA has the child’s best interest at heart, then what happened there and how can I avoid being “that” CASA worker?
I am also a CASA & have read #4. There must be something more to this story.A CASA is trained to have ONLY & ALWAYS the best interest of the child/children. They are their voice in court and work specifically for the judge. Their objective is #1 reunification with the biological parent/parents & then if that becomes impossible, finding a permanent, safe placement. I am sorry things didn’t work out, but there has to be an underlying reason that you may not be aware of.
Camilla here, I posted a post about the trouble we are in now because of our adopted RAD child. We might even have to face criminal charges.PLEASE HELP CAMILLA
our foster kids have two CASA workers and they constantly interfered with our parenting. They also show up at the kid’s schools when ever they want and YES one has made changes in one child’s IEP! Then she called me to go sign the ammended form!!!! We have fostered these kids since the entered care over a year ago and are in the process of adopting one of them. We have never missed a meeting, a court date or an appointment involving the kids their siblings or even their loser parents. THE KIDS DO NOT NEED A ADVOCATE, they have parents! I am really sick and tire of dealing with them. The CASA’s are retired ladies with nothing else to do, they have no mental health training at all BUT t their opinions are considered far more them mine because although I have an MSW as far as the court is concerned I am just another foster parent.
Just like in all aspects of foster care – there are some good ones and some not so good CASA’s. I’ve been on both sides of the fence.
Regarding the courts just seeing you as “just another foster parent.” That’s the real problem, in my opinion.
im a grand mother of a child who has been appointed a casa worker and so far she has seemed to be fair toward my son who is seeking custody of his daughter but this is and unusual case theres four siblings involed and my heart goes out to these children and the casa worker
It is quite unfortunate for children that the CASA program’s in OH have no system of checks and balances for the program and the people running the program. These CASA’s are dealing with precious children’s lives, yet they are not educated on proper child development. A 30 hour course and a background check is quite insufficient when helping to determine the wellfare of a child. This is unexceptable. The eyes and the ears of children should have to take serious responsibility for their actions, which is the opposite in the CASA program in OH. Poorly written reports and no a lack of investigation has made the CASA program useless. I know of a particular CASA who is the director in a county in OH. She is quite uneducated and incompetant, yet when specific accusations were thrown out of court and then brought up to the OH CASA board, they were didmissed for her years of service. Agian, checks and balances need to be in place here. Why is it okay for any child to slip through the cracks?