A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community member appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. CASAs are responsible adults who care deeply about advocating for children in St. Louis County who have experienced abuse and neglect.

The CASA’s ultimate goal is to secure safety and permanency for children in the foster care system. CASAs provide the judge with carefully researched information about the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child’s future. The CASA helps determine if it’s in a child’s best interest to be returned to the parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, be placed with relatives, or be freed for permanent adoption.

Responsibilities include reviewing records, researching the child’s situation, regularly visiting the child wherever they are living, attending meetings concerning the child and family, writing recommendations to the judge before each court meeting, and working attorneys who represent the child in all legal proceedings, and reporting to their CASA of St. Louis staff case supervisor.

A CASA is often the only constant in the life of a child who may be separated from his or her family and shuffled between Family Court and foster homes. A CASA offers children stability and support.

Children paired with a CASA are more likely to receive therapy, health care and education. Judges have observed that the children we serve have a better chance of being placed in a safe, permanent home. They also receive placement on average six months faster than children navigating the court system without an advocate.

CASAs must be at least 21 years of age and undergo criminal and Child Protective Services background checks. Applicants are required to complete a volunteer application, attend a pre-training orientation and participate in volunteer training.

To prepare a recommendation, a CASA will talk with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child’s history. They also review all of the child’s records – school, medical and caseworker reports, and more.

We’re proud to have CASAs from different personal, educational, and cultural backgrounds. Many of our CASAs are employed in regular, full-time jobs. All share the same passion and determination to ensure that a child who has experienced abuse or neglect will grow up in a safe, permanent home.

Typically, CASAs work on one case at a time, allowing them to focus on one child or sibling group’s particular needs.

A CASA usually spends 4 to 10 hours each month on their assigned case. There may be several court hearings and meetings to attend during the daytime hours while phone calls and visits can be arranged on evenings and weekends.

CASAs never work alone. They begin with 30 hours of pre-service training so they are fully prepared to meet the needs of the children they serve. You will also be supported and in constant contact with your CASA of St. Louis Case Supervisor throughout your time as a CASA.

As a CASA, you are a well-respected and important member of the advocacy team for a child. Our training program and ongoing support will help you expand your interpersonal skills, work with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, and network with volunteers, professionals from other agencies and the court, and CASA of St. Louis staff.

You’ll also increase your leadership ability, your sense of community, and your knowledge in areas like domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and substance abuse. Our CASAs feel proud they’re helping to break the cycle of abuse in the community.