CASA of Sonoma County - (707) 565-6375

The Sonoma CASA program is committed to serving the abused and neglected children in Sonoma County who come before the Juvenile Court for protection. CASA volunteers act as a consistent mentor, role model, support person, and advocate.

CONTACT CASA:

CASA of Sonoma County
P.O. Box 1418
Kenwood, CA 95452
Phone: (707) 565-6375
Fax: (707) 565-6379
Email: info@sonomacasa.org

WHAT IS CASA?:

A safe, permanent home isn't something that a child should only dream about...

Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are everyday people who are trained and then appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. When a CASA volunteer is appointed to a child's case, he or she spends time with the social workers, foster parents, family, and most importantly- the child. The advocate then provides the judge with information that assists in providing a unique and heartfelt understanding of the child's needs. A CASA volunteer remains with each child until they are placed in a safe, permanent and nurturing home.

Renew hope in a child. Consider volunteering today.

PROGRAM GOAL:

To reduce the trauma of children in the Juvenile Court dependency system by matching a child with a trained CASA volunteer who will offer support through a long term consistent relationship. The volunteer will explore and recommend resources and options available for the child and will offer the child guidance and information in understanding and dealing with the complex, unfamiliar court and child welfare systems.

1. To advocate vigorously for the rights of abused and neglected children in Sonoma County ensuring that all "reasonable efforts" have been made for a child at every stage of the court dependency process.

2. To improve the quality of information presented to the Juvenile court on behalf of the child by informing the court of the child's adjustment and state of mind. This is done by gathering relevant information and making appropriate case recommendations in a written case report.

3. To develop and implement a sound program management plan which includes recruitment, retention, supervision, and training of a competent volunteer corps which is ethnically, racially, and linguistically representative of the population to be served.

WE NEED YOUR HELP:

Become a CASA Volunteer:
As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), you would establish and maintain contact with a child, interview his or her parents, social workers, teachers, and others, and submit a written recommendation to the court outlining what is best for the child. You would become the "eyes and ears" for the judge and help ensure that "your" child does not become lost in the court system. If you care and have about 10 hours a month to spend, being a CASA can be very gratifying work.

Become a Volunteer:
There are numerous ways to help CASA. We have a continual need for office help, people who can volunteer a half day each week on a regular basis. In addition, we need people to help coordinate fund raising and other activities.

Become a Friend of CASA:
Friends of CASA sponsors annual fund raisers including a dinner/dance/auction event. Corporate/business sponsorships through event underwriting are greatly needed. You could also assist by attending the events, serving on a committee, or donating merchandise or services to be used as auction items.

A QUICK PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The goal of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is to prevent abused and neglected children form becoming lost in the Juvenile Dependency system. The objective of appointing a CASA Volunteer, a trained advocate from the community, is to ensure that the child's best interest is represented.

The program receives referrals directly from the Juvenile Court. CASA's are matched to the child and provide approximately 10-12 hours of service per month of casework. After reviewing the case information, the volunteer consults with the program staff to develop a case plan. Prior to each court hearing, the volunteer prepares a court report which includes evaluations and recommendations for the child. The Juvenile Court judge reads and considers the CASA report in addition to the social worker's report prior to making his decision. Volunteers attend all appointed volunteer is carefully screened and receives 30 hours of expert training in skills necessary to fulfill his or her responsibilities.

CASA volunteers are in a unique position because they can provide information not usually available to the Juvenile Court. Because of the growing number of cases filed in Juvenile Court and overburdened resources to adequately serve these cases, judges find the CASA volunteers' reports to be positive complements to the information necessary to make well-informed decisions.

In addition to our services to abused and neglected children, the CASA program works to provide community education concerning the issue of child abuse, neglect and child welfare policy. We are also committed to working toward public policies that promote child abuse prevention and to addressing reforms in the Juvenile Dependency/Foster Care system.

DIRECTOR'S NOTE (Millie Gilson):

Since our movement's inception in 1978, one of more than 900 National CASA programs, CASA throughout California has expanded into 40 county based programs. Through the vision of the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge of Sonoma County, Arnold Rosenfield; we became recognized in May of 1997 as the 32nd CASA program. Premiering under the umbrella of the Social Advocates for Youth program, CASA of Sonoma County became a private non-profit corporation in January of 1998 with the financial support of the Junior League of Napa/Sonoma counties, the Witkin Foundation, Sonoma County Community Foundation, and World Products Inc. Foundation.

Since our inception in 1997, CASA of Sonoma County has recruited over 400 volunteers who represent a broad cross-section of our community. They serve as child advocates, advisors, faculty, board members, consultants, and support personnel. Through support form the California Judicial Council, The Walter S. Johnson Foundation, The David Gold Foundation, The Witkin Foundation, National CASA, and many individual donors, Sonoma County CASA is now prepared for the next level of program growth. Our plans are to increase our caseload, expand staffing, and develop stronger public relations and marketing. We want all those who learn about CASA to be proud of what we will accomplish for the children of our community.

Tags: Charity Organization