When a foster care case begins, the courtroom is crowded with a judge, a representative from a foster care agency, biological parents, family members, attorneys, other courtroom staff and, of course, the child. Even though the child should be the priority in the room, the judges, caseworkers and service providers who determine the child’s future simply do not have adequate time to understand the specific needs of each and every child.

By speaking for the child, the CASA volunteer ensures that the wishes and needs of the child are not overlooked by the many competing interests at play.