Mission:
We recruit, screen, train, supervise and support community volunteers who are appointed to investigate custody and visitation disputes in order to give children a voice in Court.
What is CASA?
A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate who receives training and volunteers time to act as the eyes and ears of the Court.
Why do we need CASA?
In the Family Court System, many children need their own advocate. When a Judge recognizes the need, an impartial outside evaluation may be ordered. CASA is assigned to investigate all the issues impacting the children whose families are involved in these difficult cases. The Juvenile Court system mandates by law that children have their own legal representation, providing families with free legal counsel, if needed. The Family Law cases on the other hand, are not provided with this important advocacy. Children involved in these complex cases do not have access to any free service.
When is CASA assigned to a Family Law Case?
All too often, children become innocent casualties, lost in the disintegration of parental relationships that occur in a battle for custody. When this happens the opposing parties are unable to agree on what custody/visitation arrangements would be in the best interests of the child(ren). Judges and Commissioners in King County Superior Court will request that a CASA volunteer be assigned to investigate the case. The Judges and Commissioners will then make the necessary decisions for the parties. Their decision is often based on the information provided by the CASA volunteer. The parties can also request a CASA be assigned to the case in an effort to move the process along.
What do CASA Volunteers do?
Typical cases include issues such as paternity, domestic violence, third party custody, mental illness, physical/sexual and substance abuse. Once assigned a case, the CASA volunteer will do an extensive investigation for the Court. The CASA volunteer then makes an unbiased written report, including recommendations. Each report is reviewed by a program staff member and the CASA attorney prior to submission to the Court. The volunteer may be asked to appear in court to offer additional testimony during a hearing or trial. Historically, CASA has served up to 250 cases a year impacting the lives of 300-350 children. Cases can typically require an average of 40-60 hours, but volunteers often put hundreds of hours into cases that extend over long periods. Each hour volunteered helps to provide children with a conclusion that will be in their best interests. The CASA volunteers are truly the eyes and ears of the Court.
How does CASA help?
CASA's professional staff members recruit, train and supervise volunteers who serve as a child's voice in court for children from lower income families. CASA will maintain approximately 250 trained volunteers whose focus is to mitigate the devastating damage that divorce and custody battles can have on vulnerable children.
What happened to the previous Family Law CASA program?
The original CASA Program was created in 1983, and for 20 years was the voice for children in King County Superior Court. King County government funded the service, and housed the program in Court offices. The Family Law CASA Program fell victim to the King County budget cuts of 2002, as did many programs that are not mandated by law. The Juvenile Court Dependency CASA program for children still exists as required by law.
