Memphis CASA: Special Advocates for Abused and Neglected Children
The national Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Seattle. Since the late 1970s, CASA has trained volunteers to be the voice of abused and neglected children in the courtroom. With over a thousand offices now providing services to children in the foster care system, CASA operates in most states including Tennessee.
Memphis CASA: Special Advocates for Abused and Neglected Children
In our own back yard, it’s CASA of Memphis & Shelby County, Inc., that offers specialized advocacy for these children in need. The program is offered through The Exchange Club Family Center. By helping reduce the time these children spend in foster care, CASA volunteers provide an invaluable service to area families and communities.
A Voice in Court for the Children
CASA’s mission is a simple one with potentially life-changing possibilities: “to be the voices in court for abused and neglected children in need of safe, permanent homes.” Because of their unique relationship with the child, CASA volunteers are able to provide the court with detailed information. Assisting juvenile court magistrates in determining what is in the child’s best interests so to place him or her in a safe, permanent home as swiftly as possible. In the majority of dependency and neglect cases, the juvenile court accepts the child advocate’s recommendations and may include them in final orders for a permanent residential arrangement.
A Day in the Life of a Memphis & Shelby County CASA Volunteer
CASA volunteers have several duties and objectives. They gather information from doctors, teachers, lawyers, family members, mental health professionals, and others involved in the children’s lives. They are in a key position to connect families with various welfare programs and social services. They are good communicators, respectful of people with differing backgrounds. And, perhaps most importantly, they do everything they can to ensure that the children’s best interests are represented in court.
CASA serves these children through a “Circle of Hope.” At the center of this unique circle is a dedicated CASA volunteer who provides one-on-one assistance to the child for whom he or she speaks. After thoroughly investigating the child’s circumstances, the advocate reports to the court with written observations and recommendations. In this way, the advocate assists the court in placing an abused or neglected child in a permanent home. A safe environment where the child might thrive.
By necessity, the CASA volunteer makes a significant commitment to each child’s dependency and neglect case (on average, about three to five hours a week for a period of 12 to 18 months). Absent unforeseen circumstances, he or she remains assigned to the case and monitors progress until the child is out of foster care and safely placed in a permanent home, or until the case is closed.
Become a CASA Volunteer
Before completing a volunteer application, the individual must have a high school diploma, be at least 21 years of age, and pass a criminal background check. There is no special knowledge required of volunteers, just a willingness to commit to the program. The next step is to complete 40 hours of pre-service training and, thereafter, to stay current with continuing in-service education.
In addition to volunteering as an advocate, there are many ways that individuals and area businesses can assist CASA of Memphis & Shelby County. Donations are always welcomed and add to the circle of hope these abused and neglected children so desperately need and deserve.
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