NCJ Number
93001
Date Published
1982
Length
330 pages
Annotation
This manual describes how to establish a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Project, which involves being an advocate for neglected, dependent, and abused children at all stages of the court process. It reports on five CASA programs that took the same basic project model and developed unique variations to fit local needs.
Abstract
An introduction explains why the National Council of Jewish Women becamen involved in the CASA Projects, and gives an overview of the child welfare system, its structure, and the problems and issues relating to children in or at-risk of entering foster care through court action. Having established the context for a CASA Project, the manual describes the role and functions of the CASA. It explains why volunteers are best suited for the public agencies involved in child placements and presents a step-by-step guide for assessing a community's interest in and readiness for a CASA Project. The manual discusses how to start a project -- who should be seen, possible approaches an organization might take, and what resources are necessary to begin. Guidance is given for organizing and administering a CASA Project, selecting a project chairperson presenting reports in court, and providing supervision and ongoing training of volunteers. Forms are presented for evaluating the performance of CASA volunteers. The appendixes provide examples of the forms, procedures, and materials developed by the National Office, the demonstration projects, and other non-NCJW CASA Projects. Also included in the appendixes are a series of program models designed to stimulate interest in foster care, additional guides for community study, and an extensive bibliography.