Functions of Management

In 1977, a Seattle juvenile court judge concerned about making drastic decisions with insufficient information conceived the idea of citizen volunteers speaking up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom. From that first program has grown a network of more than 946 CASA and guardian Ad- litem programs that are recruiting, training and supporting volunteers in 49 states.

Reference

National CASA. (2012). Court Appointed Special Advocates. Retrieved from http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301295/k.BE9A/Home.htm

Mission Statement

is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive.

Five Critical Pledges We've Made on Behalf of Abused and Neglected

To make sure that the United States court system recognizes that CASA/GAL volunteers are vital for successful outcomes for the child (ren).

The volunteer base reveals the diversity and cultural demographics of the children in the judicial system.

Every participant (volunteer) knows and understands the importance of CASA's mission, and makes each case top priority.

Government officials and agencies at levels of local, state, tribal and federal realizes the far-reaching results that CASA volunteers have and can achieve, and places this work at the top of the agendas.

Each child (ren) can blossom in the safe acceptance of loving families.

The CASA programs have governing bodies that have the responsibilities for managing the program's agreement with all related laws and guidelines, implementation of polices, defining services and management of program developments guaranteeing the program's accountability to the courts and community (CASA, 2006).

"The National CASA Association advocates for abused and neglected children on the national level by working with elected officials and government agencies, and by partnering with other national child welfare organizations" (CASA, 2012, p. 6).

National CASA. (2006). Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs. Retrieved from http://nc.casaforchildren.org/files/public/community/programs/Guides-Manuals/0605_standards_for_local_programs_0053.pdf

"The CASA program demonstrates that inclusiveness and diversity are essential components of quality advocacy for the child (ren) it serves" (CASA, 2006, p. 8). The building of a legacy with quality advocacy, the acknowledgement of needs, understanding, respecting and the celebration of diversity in regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic