Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for abused or neglected children in court. CASA volunteers work alongside attorneys and social workers from case inception to its completion. They have a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. No special experience is required. Volunteers are selected on the basis of the
ir objectivity, competence and commitment. Once accepted, volunteers are trained in courtroom procedure, the social service and juvenile court systems, and the special needs of children who have been abused or neglected. It takes a commitment of 10-12 hours a month to be a CASA volunteer. Although it is challenging, it is very rewarding. The Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) are a new way of serving child victims of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse through a comprehensive approach to services for victims and their families. The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) provides a safe, neutral, child-friendly environment where child victims of non-offending families meet with members of a multidisciplinary team of professionals for the purpose of investigation. The Children’s Advocacy Center staff provides advocacy services and help bridge the gap between social services, law enforcement, and the court system.
