Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Garland County is
a non-profit organization that trains community volunteers to serve as
powerful advocates for our community’s most severely abused, abandoned
and neglected children.
CASA serves children who, for
their own protection, have been removed from their homes and placed in
foster care. Judges refer the most serious cases of child abuse and
neglect to CASA so that one volunteer can consistently spend time with
one child, building a relationship and ensuring that each child is
receiving the support and attention he or she needs and deserves while
going through the foster care process.
The
unique one-on-one relationship that forms between the volunteer and
dependent child is often the only stable, positive relationship the child
has. In a sea of social workers, attorneys, therapists and caregivers,
it's the court appointed volunteer who is a consistent and caring friend
and advocate for the child.
Volunteer
advocates are a powerful voice for children, advising the court about
what the child needs and wants. While providing emotional support and the
stability and nurturing every child deserves, they make recommendations
that are in the child's best interest.