A Case Statement Supporting the Use of Volunteers as Court Appointed Special Advocates

Over the past twenty five years, tens of thousands of CASA volunteers have served hundreds of thousands of abused and neglected children.  Judge David Soukup’s idea that volunteers are in the best position to more effectively and efficiently provide the advocacy so critical for our children in need has come to fruition.

The very nature of volunteerism is the foundation on which the CASA program is built.  It is certainly one of the greatest strengths of our national network.  The volunteers are at the heart of the work we do for children.

In 1990, with the inclusion of the CASA Program in the Victims of Child Abuse Act, Congress affirmed the use of volunteers in an otherwise closed juvenile court systems.  Provisions were made for the growth of our nationwide volunteer movement.

Why volunteers?  By their virtual selfless character, volunteers give of their time and energy.  Volunteers generally are only involved in one case at a time; therefore, their focus gives them the ability to see and do more on behalf of the child.  They commit to the case from beginning to end.

Volunteers are also independent of bureaucratic constraints that often keep others restricted.  Certainly, CASA volunteers do not work in a vacuum.  It takes the strong support and guidance of local program staff to facilitate their work.  Careful screening, training, supervision, and retention are essential to assure high quality volunteer advocacy.  It is the volunteers that make CASA for Lancaster County a success.

Volunteers bring a much needed outside perspective to our court and child welfare systems.  Their lack of past experience in the system not only brings a fresh perspective to what we do, it opens the doors to the community and helps raise public awareness of the plight of the community’s abused and neglected children.

To a child, having a volunteer working for them can make all the difference.  Hundreds of children across the country have been moved when understanding the notion, “You don’t get paid to do this?”  It demonstrates the level of concern and commitment being made by the volunteer.  No, it’s not part of their “job.”  Volunteers are ordinary citizens, doing extraordinary work for children, and along the way bringing such passion, dedication, and effort to their work.

In 1988, CSR, Inc., under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, published the results of a study entitled, National Evaluation of Guardians ad Litem in Child Abuse or Neglect Judicial Proceedings.  After analyzing five types of GAL models the study found that:

“CASA volunteers are excellent investigators and mediators, remain involved in the case and fight for what they think is right for the child.”  The study concluded, “We give the CASA models our highest recommendation.”

In CASA's over twenty-five year history, well-trained and supervised CASA/GAL volunteers have repeatedly demonstrated their excellence in providing high quality advocacy for children.  Volunteers are the foundation on which CASA is built and remain the most compassionate, powerful and efficient mechanism to diligently serve the greatest number of abused, abandoned, exploited, and neglected children in Lancaster County.