CASA of El Paso - El Paso Giving Day

CASA of El Paso

SMALL MOMENTS CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT. WE CALL IT THE CASA EFFECT. A conversation. A school visit. A courtroom appearance. A reassuring smile. These small moments can change the course of a child's life. CASA of El Paso recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who provide a voice for children in foster care. We provide lifesaving advocacy that helps abused and neglected children exit foster care to a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. Our volunteers' main job is to provide the court with recommendations about the best interest of the child. Throughout the case, our volunteers are in contact with everyone involved in the children's lives, from foster parents, biological parents and therapists to Child Protective Services caseworkers and attorneys appointed by the court. They make sure the children are receiving the medical and mental health support they need, and they meet with teachers and principals to help the children thrive in school. They dry tears and give hugs and throw birthday parties, too. Most importantly, they serve as a 'constant' person for the children to count on in this tumultuous time. Essentially, our volunteers do whatever it takes to ensure that the needs of the children are being met while they are in foster care. Support a CASA advocate for Every Child. Join us in making a difference. Your generosity brings hope, stability, and a caring advocate to children experiencing foster care. We believe every child should be given the opportunity to thrive in a permanent, safe and loving home. EVERY CHILD HAS A CHANCE — IT’S YOU.®

Causes: Advocacy, Children and Youth, Health and Mental Well-being

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Volunteer

A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer who works with abused and neglected children in the court system. When children are removed from their home due to abuse or neglect, the judge will appoint one of our volunteers, CASAs, to be that child’s advocate and help determine what is in the best interest of the child. As an objective party, the CASA functions as the child’s voice as they go through the court system.

CASA volunteers get to know the child and offer a consistent, stable presence in the child’s life during a difficult time. They speak to everyone involved in the child’s life, including their families, teachers, attorneys, social workers, therapist, psychiatrists and others. Among other things, CASA volunteers research the case, create a plan for advocacy and make recommendations to the court. All of this information helps the court make informed decisions as to what is in the best interest of the child.

Being a CASA volunteer does not require any special education or background. It requires participation in our training program and the desire to help abused and neglected children find safe, permanent homes.

After completing a 30-hour training class provided by CASA of El Paso and being assigned to a case, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) begin visiting the child regularly. Volunteer Advocates work closely with, but independent of, Child Protective Services (CPS) and attorneys.