What CASA Advocates Do
City CASA advocates change the lives of abused children by helping them move from foster care to a safe, stable home where they have a chance for a brighter future. And by making sure they are getting the services and support they need while in foster care.
They dedicate their hearts and minds to improving life for children in St. Louis, maintaining the child welfare system’s focus on the CHILD. As the eyes and ears of the judge, our advocates provide the court a full picture of a child’s life and recommend what they think is best for him or her.
The advocate also provides a voice outside of court. A CASA advocate is a key member of the family support team which includes the child, family members, other professionals involved with the child and family and foster care providers. The advocate is also a voice for the child in other environments where the child’s best interests are at stake – school, health and mental health care sites, etc.
CASA advocates are charged with four general responsibilities:
Investigation
The CASA advocate assesses the child’s situation by objectively examining the circumstances of the child’s life including relevant history, environment, relationships and needs of the child. The advocate collects information through personal interviews, observing the child's interactions with others and reviewing all records and documents. And critically, the advocate develops a relationship with the child that facilitates the child sharing her needs, fears and hopes with the advocate.
Facilitation
After assessing the needs of the child and family, the CASA advocate helps to identify resources and services for the child and family that will meet the child’s needs and help the child find a permanent, loving home. This includes facilitating collaboration between family support team members to make sure the best services are being provided that assure the child’s safety and move the family toward the best permanency plan - ideally reunification.
Advocacy
The CASA advocate gives the child a voice in all critical decisions affecting her well-being while in foster care. This is accomplished by speaking up for the child in court and in the community, as well as preparing the child to speak up for herself. The advocate provides formal written and oral reports to the judge at court proceedings. The advocate also ensures that the court hears the child's preferences - whether or not the advocate feels the child’s wishes are in her best interest.
Monitoring
The advocate monitors progress on the case to ensure that court orders are carried out and that the child and family receive mandated assistance and interventions. The advocate monitors the child's well-being and the family's progress in reaching the goals of the case plan, while working to expedite the proceedings.
