A voice for children who can't speak for themselves.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate — trained volunteers who make sure abused and neglected children don’t get lost in the court system.
Four roles. One focus: the child.
When a child’s case comes before a judge, you’re the only person in the room whose sole job is to represent what’s best for that child. Not the parents. Not the state. The child.
Fact-Finder
You gather information from everyone in the child's life — teachers, doctors, foster parents, caseworkers, family members. You piece together the full picture.
Advocate
You speak up for the child in court and in meetings with social services. You make sure their voice is heard.
Facilitator
You connect families with resources they need — counseling, housing assistance, support groups. You help open doors.
Monitor
You track whether court orders are being followed and services are being delivered. When something changes, you bring it to the judge's attention.
The system is stretched thin. Children pay the price.
Social workers juggle dozens of cases. Attorneys represent multiple clients. Foster placements change. Court dates get delayed. In all of this, a child’s needs can get lost.
50+
Cases per social worker
Social workers juggle dozens of cases at once
Multiple
Clients per attorney
Attorneys represent multiple clients simultaneously
Lost
Children's needs
Foster placements change. Court dates get delayed.
A CASA volunteer changes everything
Assigned to one child (or sibling group) at a time. You have the bandwidth to pay attention — to notice when something’s wrong and to push for what’s right.
One advocate. One focus. Real impact.
When I first started, I wasn’t sure I had anything to offer. But the training prepared me for everything, and the staff never let me feel like I was on my own. Three years in, I can tell you that being the one person a child can count on through all the uncertainty is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.
CASA volunteer of 3 years
Right now, children in Sullivan and Hawkins Counties need advocates.
Imagine being taken from your home — not because of anything you did, but because the adults in your life couldn’t keep you safe. Suddenly your world is filled with strangers: police officers, social workers, foster parents, lawyers, judges.
You have no control. No one’s explaining what happens next. And you’re scared.
Having a CASA means having someone who shows up. Someone who listens. Someone who’s in your corner when it matters most.
209
Children served last year
Our goal is to serve every child who needs an advocate. We can’t do it without you.
One advocate. Lasting impact.
50%
Less likely to re-enter foster care
Children with CASA advocates experience more stable placements
2x
More likely to be adopted
Your advocacy helps children find permanent homes faster
90%
Exit to safe, permanent homes
Better outcomes for children with consistent advocacy
