CASA Children's Intervention Services

CASA Children's Intervention Services Mission: 

1.  To provide a voice in court for every abused and neglected child within the jurisdiction so they have the opportunity to live in a safe and permanent home.

2.  To help the child in crisis feel a little less alone, understand a little more about what is happening around them, and know that someone who cares about them will be there through the entire court experience.

3.  To watch diligently over the child's safety and care and are provided the needed services to grow up to become healthy, productive adults, able to break the chain of abuse.

4.  To assist the court and the Guardian ad Litem (appointed to represent the child's legal best interests), by providing accurate, child centered information.

A CASA is appointed to cases of abuse and neglect by a Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and is mandated under the Code of Virginia (9.1-153) to:

1.  Investigate the child's current situation and future possibilities and provide this independent and factual information to the court 

2.  Submit to the court at each hearing a written report of such investigation 

3.  Monitor the case to which the CASA is appointed to ensure that the court's orders are being followed

4.  Assist the Guardian ad Litem (the Child's "Best Interest" Attorney) to represent the child's legal best interests

The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained citizen who is appointed by local judges to represent the best interest of a child in court by serving as an extra pair of eyes and ears for the Court and a voice for the child. Children are referred by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JD&R Court) of Prince William, Fauquier, Rappahannock and Warren Counties because their families have been cited for abuse and neglect and their home placement is being determined in JD&R Court. 

A volunteer CASA provides the judge with carefully researched background information about the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child's future.  Each home placement is as unique as the child involved.  The CASA volunteer must determine if it is in a child's best interest to stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, or be freed for permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer makes a recommendation on placement to the judge, and follows through by monitoring the case until it is permanently resolved.

All potential advocates must apply to the program by attending a CASA CIS Information Session, completing an application, participating in interviews, completing background checks and completing a 32 hour training provided by CASA CIS.

CASA focuses on the Child.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General:

Children who have a CASA....

Receive more services than children without a CASA
Spend less time in Foster Care
Are less likely to be re-abused
Are more likely to be adopted