Louisiana CASA

mmunity programs and involvement of individual citizens. A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. Juvenile and family court judges implement the CASA program in their courtrooms and appoint volunteers. CASA has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice. CASA volunteers offer children trust and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. They help explain to the child the events happening involving the case, reasons they are in court and the roles of the judge, lawyers and case workers. While remaining objective observers, CASA volunteers also encourage the child to express his or her own opinion and hopes about the case. As the state association of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) our mission is to build, support and advocate for a statewide network of Court-appointed volunteers to speak for abused and neglected children. We actively engage in projects designed to enhance CASA advocacy for abused and neglected children. Louisiana CASA provides program support through training and technical assistance; public policy advocacy; professional development; volunteer recruitment support and, awareness, education, and prevention efforts.