Friends of Casa, Inc

CONTACT:

PO Box 8426
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 788-6445
www.casaboston.org

Maureen Hynes, Consultant

DESCRIPTION:

"Court-Appointed Special Advocates" (CASA) trains volunteers to represent children involved in "Care and Protection" cases, in which children are identified by the Court as possibly neglected or abused, and so needing a special advocate that overcrowded Courts cannot supply except through philanthropy. CASA volunteers find out as much as possible about the child's situation, reviewing medical and school records, interviewing parents and foster parents, and most important of all, the children. These advocates are trained to know what options are available to a child under the law, and to take full advantage of them for the child's sake. They write regular reports to the Court with recommendations as to the child's best interest, and their reports are taken seriously. This places the advocates in the role of ombudsmen for the children, with a unique opportunity to help where various public entities might not be able to do so - e.g., meeting medical or educational needs, or helping families with emergency assistance for food, rent, or a heating bill. If other organizations prove inadequate, CASA tries to fill the void and attempts to provide financial assistance to meet whatever needs the children might have. CASA's job is to "make a difference"- in effect, the difference in each case. CASA volunteers have professional supervisors, who are knowledgeable regarding the Department of Social Services regulations and Court procedures. As with many human services agencies, CASA cannot meet demand. It needs to grow, and you can help.

(1999: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)