CASA of Coconino County

Our mission is to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are involved in the juvenile courts. We promote and support community-based volunteers, certified by the Supreme Court, who provide quality advocacy to help assure each child a safe, permanent, nurturing home.

The Count Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is guided by one underlying principle: Children deserve to be placed in safe and permanent homes as quickly as possible. The CASA is the voice of the child, an unbiased voice for the child's best interests. They are a constant reminder that at the heart of each case is a child who deserves a safe and permanent home with a loving family.

Arizona's CASA program was established in Maricopa County in October 1985. The Honorable C. Kimball Rose, Maricopa County Presiding Juvenile Court Judge, joined community leaders and spearheaded efforts to establish this program. The program was “tested" with operational programs in Maricopa and Coconino counties. Rules and procedures were developed, duties and responsibilities were defined and evaluations were performed by the Arizona Supreme Court. The Pima County CASA Program, which was independently formed in 1979, joined this effort in January 1987.

In 1987, the Arizona Supreme Court formally established the Arizona CASA Program under the court’s jurisdiction. Through this process, the legal and administrative standing of the Arizona CASA Program was established.

Funding for the Arizona CASA Program through fiscal year 1991 came from a combination of the state' s General Fund, federal grants, and private monies. Legislation was passed in 1991 that institutionalized the role of the court appointed special advocate and the Arizona CASA Program into a statutorily-mandated program. House Bill 2419, signed into law in 1991, provided 30% of unclaimed lottery winnings as the primary funding source for the administration of the Arizona CASA Program.

By 1993 every Arizona county juvenile court had established a CASA program. In 1994 the Policies and Procedures were written and formalized by an Order of the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. Currently the Arizona CASA Program is operated locally in all 15 counties by Arizona’s Juvenile Courts and administered statewide by the Arizona Supreme Court. Since the Arizona CASA Program’s inception in October 1985, more than 3,630 CASA volunteers have served over 11,700 of Arizona’s abused, neglected, and abandoned children.

For event information please go to www.casaofarizona.org

Description

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are appointed by a juvenile court judge to act as advocates for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and placed in protective custody. CASAs regularly visit their appointed child and can be described as "independent gatherers of information." They interview all parties involved in the child's life, including biological parents, foster parents, teachers, therapists, and others. The CASA then submits a written report to the judge advocating for the child's best interests.

A CASA...

• Develops a positive relationship with the child* 
• Monitors physical and mental health, educational and social needs of the child
• Ensures progress of the case toward a permanent and safe home environment for the child
• Writes and submits court reports that provide insight to the Juvenile Court Judge 
• CASAs are the only volunteers who are appointed by a judge and empowered to stand up for an abused or neglected child in court.

 Skills

Child Advocate: A CASA is not required to have any specific educational or professional background. You can be a CASA by simply having a commitment to children's rights. We provide all necessary training, including courtroom procedure, the juvenile justice system, social services, and the special needs of abused and neglected children.

Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must successfully complete the application and screening process
• Must attend 30 hours of Orientation Training
• Commits an average of 3-5 hours a week to case-related activities

We welcome volunteers from all cultures, professions, and educational backgrounds.

Visit us on our website at www.casaofarizona.org