Every year in Douglas County, KS, dozens of children are placed in foster care. Due to abuse or neglect, they are removed from their homes and taken to a safe environment, often a place they've never been before. Suddenly, they are surrounded by strangers--foster parents, social workers, lawyers, and a judge. Their future seems uncertain. They are separated from their toys, pets, family, and friends. Their world will never be the same.
This is where CASA volunteers step in to help. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. A CASA is a trained volunteer who advocates for the best interests of a child who has been abused or neglected and is under the protection of the court system in Douglas County, KS. CASA serves children from birth to age 18+.
CASAs develop a one-on-one relationship with the child, serving as a friend, mentor, and advocate. They investigate the facts about the child's case through interviews and visits with the child's family, caregivers, teachers, lawyers, social workers, therapists, and other case professionals. CASAs report factual information and make thoughtful recommendations to the juvenile court judge via official court reports. They make sure the child's physical, educational, medical, and emotional needs are met and that they remain safe while they are in state custody. CASAs bring stability to the child's life by staying with the case--and with the child--until the case is closed, and the child has a stable, safe place to live.
