CASA
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) was formed because children deserve every chance at safe, loving, permanent homes. CASA volunteers are trained in courtroom procedure, social services, the juvenile justice system, and the special needs of abused and neglected children. These women and men are appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. With the information CASA volunteers provide, judges are able to make informed decisions as to what is best for the child -- foster care, reunification, or adoption. And judges are able to make these decisions in a more timely fashion, so these children still have a chance at a childhood.
CASA volunteers work with attorneys and social workers. They review records, research information, and talk to everyone involved -- parents, teachers, family members, and of course, the child. From this information, they present a recommendation to the judge as to what is best for the child. Kappa Alpha Theta and CASA In 1989, Kappa Alpha Theta chose the National CASA Association as its official philanthropy. As of 1995, the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation has awarded more than $400,000 in philanthropic grants to help fund start-up costs for new programs, public awareness and volunteer training materials, a toll free information line, and the Program Director of the Year Award. The 1995-97 grant of $120,000 includes funding for public awareness and education materials for volunteers; CASA Awareness Day; CASANET (computer on-line information resource); publications, including The Connection andSpeak Up! newsletters for volunteers; the toll free information resource telephone line; and the Program Director of the Year Award.
Kappa Alpha Theta college chapters and alumnae groups provide a vital resource of local financial and volunteer support for community CASA programs. Theta groups help start new CASA programs, host state and national conferences, provide office assistance, conduct fund-raisers, and make things for or interact directly with CASA children. Many Thetas complete training and serve as CASA volunteers and local board members. Kappa Alpha Theta has had the opportunity to put on Nacho Feeds and Ice Cream Socials to help support CASA.
The following is a video about what CASA means to the people that it has helped.
