CASA

	What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad litem (CASA/GAL)?
	A CASA/GAL is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of an abused, neglected or dependent child in court.

	What is the role of the CASA/GAL?
	A CASA/GAL provides a judge or magistrate with a carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child’s future. Each case is as unique as the child involved. The CASA/GAL must determine if, based on the investigation, it is in a child’s best interest to stay with the parents or a family member, to be placed in foster care, to be freed for permanent adoption or some other appropriate option. The CASA/GAL makes a recommendation on placement and services to the judge or magistrate and, most importantly, monitors the case until it is resolved.

	How does a Court Appointed Special Advocate investigate a case?
	To prepare a recommendation, the CASA/GAL talks with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child’s history. CASA/GALs also observe interactions between the parent and the child, visit the parent’s home, and review all documentation on the child. All this information is used to form a recommendation on the placement of the child and the services which the family needs to receive.

	How many cases on average does a Court Appointed Special Advocate carry at a time?
	The number varies according to the time the volunteer has available, but on average each Court Appointed Special Advocate carries one to three cases.

	How much time does it require?
	Each case is different. When a case is initially assigned, a Court Appointed Special Advocate usually spends 5 to 10 hours a week doing research and conducting interviews. After the first month or so of involvement, volunteers spend between 5 to 15 hours a month monitoring their cases.

	How does a Court Appointed Special Advocate differ from a Franklin County Children Services caseworker?
	Franklin County Children Services is a child and family-centered agency which provides protection and care to children in need. Caseworkers are employed by the county to provide services to strengthen family life and to enable children to remain safe in their own homes. The CASA/GAL does not replace a social worker on the case but is an independent appointee of the court who monitors both the actions of the family and the case plan activity.

	How does the role of a Court Appointed Special Advocate differ from an attorney?
	The CASA/GAL does not provide legal representation. That is the role of an attorney. Instead, the CASA/GAL volunteer advocates for the best interests of the child. The CASA/GAL provides crucial background information that assists judges or magistrates in making the best decision for the child. Case management is provided by a CASA Staff Attorney, who handles the legal aspects of a case and provides legal representation to the CASA/GAL in court.

	Is there a "typical" Court Appointed Special Advocate?
	CASA/GALs come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. The program is composed of both male and female volunteers who are employed, retired, at-home parents, students or full-time volunteers.

	Can anyone be a Court Appointed Special Advocate?
	CASA/GALs are ordinary citizens. No certain background is required. However, volunteers are screened carefully for objectivity, competence and commitment. CASA/GAL volunteers must be at least 21 years old and successfully complete a police background check. Volunteers should have good oral and written communication skills.

	What training does a Court Appointed Special Advocate receive?
	CASA/GALs undergo a thorough training course. During the free forty hour training, volunteers learn about courtroom procedure from the principals in the system—judges, lawyers, social workers and court personnel. Court Appointed Special Advocates also learn effective advocacy techniques for children and are educated about specific topics ranging from child sexual abuse to how to give a report in court. Trainings are scheduled four times a year. The culmination of the initial training is the swearing-in ceremony with a Juvenile Court Judge.

	How does the Court Appointed Special Advocate relate to the child he/she represents?
	CASA/GAL volunteers are not service providers, nor are they best friends, for the child. The CASA/GAL might interview the child if she is old enough to talk. If not, the CASA/GAL observes the child’s interactions with the various people involved in her life. Court Appointed Special Advocates offer the child trust, advocacy, and stability during complex legal proceedings. The volunteer explains the events that are happening and the roles of the judge, lawyers and social workers. The CASA/GAL volunteer also encourages the child to express his/her own opinions and hopes.

	What children are assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate?
	In Franklin County, CASA/GAL volunteers are appointed to children who are in the Juvenile Court System as a result of abuse, neglect or dependency.

	Are there any other agencies or groups that provide the same service?
	No. There are other child advocacy organizations, but CASA of Franklin County is the only program where volunteers are appointed by the court to advocate for a child’s best interests.

	How effective are Court Appointed Special Advocate programs?
	Preliminary findings show that children who are assigned a CASA volunteer tend to spend less time in the court system and less time within the foster care system. Judges observed that Court Appointed Special Advocate children also have better chances of finding permanent homes than non-CASA children.

	Do lawyers, judges and social workers support Court Appointed Special Advocates?
	Yes, juvenile judges support the CASA program in their courtrooms and appoint the volunteers. Court Appointed Special Advocates of Franklin County is endorsed by the Judges of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, Franklin County Children Services, Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

	How many CASA programs are there?
	Currently, there are 898 CASA programs in all 50 states, with more than 58,620 CASA volunteers serving more than 229,090 abused, neglected and dependent children.

	What is the role of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (NCASAA)?
	The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association is a non-profit organization that represents and serves the local Court Appointed Special Advocate programs. It provides training, technical assistance, research, news and public awareness services to members. NCASAA is located in Seattle, Washington, and is funded through a combination of private grants, federal funds, memberships and contributions.

	Does the federal government support Court Appointed Special Advocates?
	CASA is a priority project of the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The office encourages the establishment of new Court Appointed Special Advocate programs, assists established CASA programs and provides partial funding for the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association.

	How did the Court Appointed Special Advocate of Franklin County program get started?
	In Franklin County, a group of community people representing child-focused organizations assembled in the summer of 1990 to establish a Court Appointed Special Advocate program. With support from the Franklin County Coalition for Families and Children and the former League Against Child Abuse, they designed a model program that replicated a national prototype, developed articles of incorporation, formed a board of trustees and filed for tax exempt status. The first CASA volunteer was appointed to a case in May of 1992.

	How does the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Franklin County operate now?
	CASA is a private, non-profit 501(C)(3) corporation with a Board of Trustees. Coordination of the program is handled by the Executive Director and a professional staff. Advocate trainings are scheduled four times a year. CASA of Franklin County also has an active fundraising auxiliary which is supported by volunteer efforts.

	Is there a need for more CASA/GAL volunteers in Franklin County?
	Yes! In 2005, 253 volunteers advocated for approximately 600 children, but there are thousands more who need a CASA/GAL’s voice in court. The goal of CASA of Franklin County is to provide a CASA/GAL advocate for as many children as possible.