Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are community volunteers who are appointed by judges to advocate in court for abused and/or neglected children. When a child is in danger living at home, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will step in and say that the child needs to be moved to a safe environment. In order to determine what circumstances will keep the child safe, the case is brought to court where a judge will rule where the child should go.
Once a case is brought to court, the judge appoints a CASA volunteer to the child. The CASA volunteer researches the child’s situation – this includes talking to the child as well as the child’s parents, teachers, councilors… anyone who plays a significant role in the child’s life – and then forms an educated opinion as to what is in that child’s best interests to maintain well-being and encourage safe permanency. Once the CASA volunteer determines the child’s best interests, they write a report to the judge recommending a home placement (returning to their previous homes, foster care, staying with relatives…) and services to address any unique, unmet needs that the child has.
Website: washingtonstatecasa.org
Email: info@washingtonstatecasa.org
Address: 603 Stewart St, #206
Seattle, WA 98101