Court
Appointed Special Advocate
(CASA)
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to
speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. We
promote and support quality volunteer representation for children to provide
each child a safe, permanent, nurturing home.
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Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are everyday people who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. A CASA volunteer stays with each child until they are placed into a safe, permanent and nurturing home.
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Concerned over making decisions about abused and neglected children's, Superior Court Judge David Soukup, envisioned the idea of using trained community volunteers to voice the best interests of these children in court. Since 1976, this Seattle program has proven very successful. In fact, other judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today more than 900 CASA programs are in operation, with 42,400 women and men serving as CASA volunteers. There are currently fourteen CASA programs in Tennessee.
The National CASA program has developed a 40-hour curriculum and accompanying materials which we have adapted to our community. Topics included are the court process, child development, abuse and neglect, cultural competency, advocacy and interviewing techniques, HIV and other public health topics, etc. A volunteer supervisor or program director is available to discuss your case, help problem solve, and make sure you get any legal support you need.
CASA volunteers are assigned by a judge to cases that involve abuse and/or neglect of children. These CASA volunteers conduct thorough research on the background of the case, reviewing documents, interviewing everyone involved, including the child. Additionally, CASA volunteers make reports to the court, recommending what they believe is best for the child, providing the judge with information that will help her make an informed decision. During the case, a CASA volunteer monitors the child's situation to make sure he remains safe.
When you take on a case, you take on a child's future. CASA volunteers may be the only constant the child knows as she moves through the labyrinth of the child welfare system. Thus, we ask you to make a commitment of at least a year. Some cases last longer. The amount of time you spend on a case will vary depending on the stage of the proceedings.
Nationally, CASA volunteers give an average of 88 hours per year.
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CASA University The Center for Family Development 100 East Side Square Shelbyville TN 37160 931/684-4676
CASA GET –TOGETHER CASA 102 The Role of Advocacy Thursday, May 4, 2006 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Class Schedule *****Class Time will be 3:30 – 7:30 each night***** Tuesday, May 9, 2006 CASA 301 Cultural Awareness
Thursday, May 11, 2006 *******Cancelled due to schedule conflict*******
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 CASA 201 The Law and How It Works
Thursday, May 18, 2006 CASA 401 Understanding Families
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 CASA 501 Struggling Families
Thursday, May 25, 2006 CASA 601 Understanding Children
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 CASA 701 Communication
Thursday, June 1, 2006 CASA 801 The Process of Investigation
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 CASA 902 Reporting & Monitoring CASA 1000 Wrap-up
*Graduation and Swearing In To Be Determined by County*
For more information, call: Lynne Farrar or Benita Caldwell 931-684-4676
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Contact
Lynne Farrar
for more information.
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