Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Rock County
"If we cannot make a world in which children do not suffer, then at least we can work to decrease the amount of suffering of children." Albert Camus
The goal of a CASA program is to promote the best interests of abused and neglected children within the juvenile court system. Specially trained volunteers appointed by the judge provide the judge with information and recommendations specific to life defining decisions that affect the child-when to return home, when to remain in foster care. To prepare the report the CASA volunteer talks with the child's parents, foster parents, other family members, social workers, school officials, health providers, and others who may have pertinent information about the child. In addition, a status report is submitted to the judge monthly so that there is additional oversight of the child's situation.
Nationally, the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program had been in existence since 1976. Begun by Judge David Soukup in Washington state, the program has expanded dramatically...there are now over 1000 programs nationally.
CASA of Rock County is the newest CASA program in Wisconsin. Our program has been in existence since July 2005. We have one full-time and one part-time staff persons; CASA program standards allow 30 volunteers per one full-time staff person.
The progam is successful in part because the volunteers are able to provide one-on-one case management review with the abused or neglected child. This ratio effectively complements the social workers who can have up to 60 cases at one time. The volunteers are required to visit the child every week; county social workers do not have the time to provide such intensive case management due to their large caseloads. It is through the visits that the volunteer is able to advocate for the child's best interest and provides some consistency in the child's life.