Every child should have a safe, loving and permanent home, but many do not. Each year in Georgia, thousands of children become entangled in the juvenile justice and foster care programs because they are victims of abuse or neglect. A large majority of the children are taken from their homes and places in an already overburdened system where they can get "lost" for months and even years.

Georgia’s Court Appointed Special Advocate programs provide an innovative, cost-effective approach to a very urgent crisis. Community-based programs recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers to provide individualized advocacy for these innocent victims and an independent source of information for the judge who must decide their future.

What does CASA do?

CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the court. They interview anyone who may be able to court and makes recommendations to the judge, based on their independent assessment, about what is in the child's best interests. The CASA remain involved to keep the focus on the child until the case is permanently resolved.

Does the CASA work with attorneys and caseworkers?

CASA work with an attorney Guardian ad Litem or with the child's attorney. It one is appointed to represent the child in court. The CASA does not provide legal representation in the court proceeding. The CASA speaks up for the child's best interests and continues on the case after the judicial proceeding in order to ensure that there is permanency in the child's life. The CASA also works with the caseworker from the Department of Family and Children Service to ensure that the plan for permanency is being implemented. Caseworks are employees of the state government and sometimes work on 40 to 60 cases at a time. The CASA is a volunteer who can give the child what others in the system do not have - TIME.

Chattahoochee CASA program recruits and trains volunteers from the Chattahoochee Valley to work with an attorney Guardian ad Litem or with the child’s attorney, if one is appointed, to represent the child in court. The required 40 hour training course is given several times each year. Inquiries are welcome.

CASA is an Urban League Program

The Urban League of Greater Columbus (ULGC) is a multiracial professional community service agency committed to assuring equality of opportunity for all citizens of the greater Columbus area and to the well-being of all our children. ULGC is the umbrella organization for Chattahoochee CASA and it truly believes its motto: Our Children = Our Destiny 

CASA VOLUNTEER 

Phone:  

Send to:

Mattie P. Hall
  Program Director,
CASA
mhall@columbusurbanleague.org

Affiliated With

GEORGIA

casa

A child's voice in court.