Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties are members of National CASA/GAL Association and support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. 

 

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for children in foster care who have experienced abuse or neglect to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system, or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe permanent home.​

 

​For many children, their CASA volunteer is the one constant adult presence in their lives. Independent research has demonstrated that children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care, more likely to succeed in school and adjust to change, and half as likely to re-enter the foster care system.