Abused/Neglected child
Our Mission
The mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, together with its state and local members, is to                  support and promote               court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused and neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive.
 
Court Appointed Special Advocates
Every year, more than 3 million children nationally are reported abused or 
neglected. Here in Kearney and Buffalo Counties we see an average of 60 new cases each year.  Despite the states' attempts to help, many of these kids become
trapped in the court and child welfare maze and can spend their childhood moving
from one temporary shelter to another. This is where a CASA volunteer comes in.

What is a CASA Volunteer?
CASA Volunteers are everyday citizens who volunteer their time to be the eyes and ears of the court in abuse and neglect cases to provide the court with an independent report of the facts of the case and to advocate for the best interests of the child.  
Studies have shown that once a CASA volunteer is assigned to an abused or  neglected child, the child is much more likely to receive vital services such as health care, education, and therapy.  By getting involved as a CASA volunteer, you can help create healthier families and communities - and change the course of a child's life.

What do CASA Volunteers Do?
  1. Gather information about the child by observing, visiting with anyone involved in the child's life, reviewing records, and attending meetings and court hearings.
  2. Report and make recommendations to the judge 
  3. Advocate for the child's needs through the report and in team meetings.
  4. Monitor until the child has a safe permanent home.
Volunteer Characteristics
  • Be 21 or older
  • Pass a Background Check
  • Complete a 30 hour             pre-service training
  • Have an average of 6 hours a month to spend advocating for an abused or neglected child.
  • Be able to commit to a case for an average of 24 months

You don't have to be a lawyer or a social worker to be a volunteer.  We are simply looking for people with a desire to help abused and neglected children.  As a CASA Volunteer you will receive training from professionals in the legal and welfare fields and you'll have the complete support of our CASA organization to help you through each case.