What is PA CASA?
Pennsylvania Court Appointed Special Advocates Association is the statewide non-profit organization that
- develops new programs
- advocates for local programs
- provides training
- supports the network of local CASA programs and volunteers
Local CASA programs are organized for a specific juvenile court jurisdiction. There are 19 local programs serving 24 counties.
Children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and are being served by dependency courts through foster care, kinship care, or group homes are served by CASA volunteer advocates.
What is a CASA Volunteer?
The CASA volunteer advocate is a trained advocate, 21 years or older, who works under the supervision of a local CASA volunteer coordinator. The CASA volunteer serves as the independent extra set of ‘eyes and ears’ of the court, gathering information from the child, his/her biological parents, foster parents, teachers, counselors, and others. The CASA makes recommendations to the judge as to what services or actions are in the child’s best interest.