Answers about CASA for Parents
What is CASA?
- CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate
- CASAs are trained volunteers appointed by the Judge to your child
- The purpose of the CASA volunteer is to help determine what is in your child's best interest by finding out as much information as possible about the child
How do CASAs determine my child's best interest?
- CASAs talk with you, your child, other family members, your social worker, teachers, attorneys, and anyone else who is important in your child's life
- CASAs make home visits to observe your child; CASAs may also meet with your child in school
- CASAs review relevant records regarding your child such as attendance records or health records
What do CASAs do with the information that they learn about my child?
- A CASA volunteer submits a written report to the Court detailing what he or she has learned from interviews, observations, and record reviews; the report also contains recommendations for what the CASA believes is in the child's best interest
Who gets to read the CASA report?
- The Judge and all direct parties in the case including you, your attorney, social workers, and county counsel
Is the CASA volunteer a social worker?
- No, the CASA is a volunteer independently appointed by the Court and does not work for CPS (Child Protective Services)
How can I get in touch with my child's CASA?
|
