Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
In 2017 CPS workers found 3000 cases of probable abuse and neglect in the three counties we serve,
Child Protective Service investigates over 4500 reports of abuse and neglect in Albany County alone
The sheer number of cases overwhelms the Family Court System
One child suffering is too many
CASA Volunteers Help Children
Contact rvaughn@theccj.org for more information about CASA.
Family Court Judges appoint Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to advocate for the best interests of children who have been victimized by abuse and neglect. Family Court Judges appoint our volunteers to work with these children, because they need the information a CASA provides to determine what's in the best interests of the child.
Child Protective Services work with enormous caseloads that make it impossible to adequately investigate each case. CASA helps fill the need as our volunteer advocates visit with the child, observing the child and advocating for social services, mental health services, and educational services where appropriate.
Most importantly, volunteers work to find the best permanent solution for each child.
CASA volunteers are the child’s voice in the court and by speaking out CASA volunteers have helped thousands of children in the Capital Region live better lives.
Be their voice. Be their CASA.
All children deserve a safe and permanent home.
A Parent's Story - How CASA Helped
On November 1, 2005 we were blessed with the opportunity to foster a child who had a CASA volunteer. With the help of CASA of the Capital Region and Schenectady County Social workers we were able to adopt this child in August of 2008. Although the journey was long and sometimes scary, we would do it all again. We cannot imagine our lives without our daughter in it and our family would be incomplete.
Be their voice. Be their CASA.
Studies have shown that children with CASA volunteers on their side do better at school, at home and later in life.
For three decades, CASA volunteers have helped children at risk of abuse and neglect grow up in a safe, loving and permanent home.
YOU can make a difference in a child’s life.
Become a volunteer today!
CASA Volunteer Training
CASA volunteers complete a rigorous 30 hour training and an apprenticeship before they are assigned a case by a Family Court Judge
