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ABOUT VOLUNTEER EVENTS DONATE SHOP MEMBERS THE CASA PROGRAM |
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The CASA Program, initiated in 1996 by Superior Court Judge Arnold Rosenfield, was started with grants from the California Judicial Council, the Sonoma Community Foundation, the Junior League of Napa and Sonoma counties, the World Products Foundation, and the Witkin's Family Trust. Since its inception, CASA has been the "child's voice in court" for over 1,000 abused and neglected children. The CASA Program is committed to serving abused/neglected children of Sonoma County who come before the Juvenile Court for protection. The purpose of CASA is to humanize the complicated, unfamiliar, and frightening legal and child welfare systems for the child victim by providing a trained volunteer who will act as a consistent mentor, role model, support person, and advocate. CASA currently has 125 volunteers who provide over $150,000 worth of donated time and expenses on their cases annually. When the Juvenile court Judge assumes jurisdiction and finds a child to be a dependent child of the court, many different professionals enter the case. These professionals include social workers, attorneys from County Counsel, the Public Defender's office, and attorneys for the minors, foster parents, law enforcement officials, and therapists. Everyone involved has a vested interest to represent and while their intent is to serve the child, none of these professionals have 10-12 hours per month to focus on the child's esteem, well being, personal desires, needs and interests. The Juvenile Court's objective in assigning each CASA volunteer is to provide a single consistent person who will take the time to mentor and advocate for the child, keeping the interests and welfare of the child a priority. Serving as a complement to the deposition of the case, CASAs provide the companionship and support the child needs during this time of turbulence and confusion in his/her life. The CASA program provides representation without charge to children between the ages of birth and eighteen, who are dependents of the court. CASA is one of 43 similar programs across the state and more than 1,100 across the United States. We are a member of the National and State CASA Associations. National and State CASA Programs |
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© 1998-2012 CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates of Sonoma County |
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In
California, 90,000 children are living in foster
homes and small group homes. In Sonoma County,
there are over 600 children currently dependents
of the juvenile court. The courts removed these
children from their parents' care as a result
of abuse, neglect or the inability of the parents
to care for them. Abused children are at tremendous
risk for lasting emotional trauma; trauma that
is exacerbated when they are thrust into a complex
and confusing court process. To address the special
needs of these children the Court Appointed Special
Advocates Program (CASA) of Sonoma County was formed.