CASA Project, Inc.

CONTACT:

100 Grove St.
Worcester, MA 01605
508-757-9877
casaworcestercounty.org

Sue Ellen Scrogin, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Every day, juvenile and district courts are asked to make decisions about complex cases involving abused or neglected children. Huge caseloads prevent judges from gathering complete information for decisions.

The CASA Project (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of Worcester County was founded in 1981. In 2003, it helped 375 children in 168 cases; in 2004 they were on target to help 400 boys and girls. CASA Volunteers are appointed as guardians ad litem. They focus their work on outcomes that are in the child's best interest. They research the background of each assigned case and monitor its progress through the courts, helping to ensure timely and appropriate decisions.

CASA volunteers are carefully recruited and trained; they come from all cultural, educational and ethnic backgrounds; they commit to 10 to 15 hours a month -- talking with the child, parents and family members, neighbors, school officials, foster parents, doctors, therapists and any others involved in the child's life who might have relevant facts. Their reports recommend whether the child should be returned to the family, placed in foster care, or legally freed for adoption. Because these are volunteers, CASA is highly cost-effective -- a donation of $2,000 will support the training and work of one advocate for an entire year! They need to grow and for that they need your support.

(1998: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)