CASA OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA INC
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Mission Statement
CASA of Central Virginia (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting, training and supporting volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court system and to educating the community about the needs of these children.
About This Cause
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Virginia, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to be advocates for the abused and neglected children in juvenile court proceedings in the 24th Judicial District of Virginia. CASA volunteers, who are appointed by Juvenile and Domestic Court Judges, assist the Court by (1) thoroughly investigating the child's situation to provide independent factual information; (2) submitting to the Court a written report regarding the child's best interests with recommendations as to the child’s welfare; (3) monitoring the court's orders to ensure compliance, and that the child and family receive the services ordered by the court; (4) aiding the guardian ad litem (GAL); and (5) serving as a Mandated Reporter of child abuse/neglect. CASA volunteers are authorized by the Code of Virginia, Sections 9.1-153 to perform the five duties listed above. The nation's first CASA program was developed in Seattle, Washington in 1977. Since then almost one thousand CASA program offices have been established throughout the nation. Judge Dale Harris helped to found a CASA program in Central Virginia in the summer of 1989 for the purpose of providing advocacy services to the abused and neglected children in Lynchburg and Amherst County. By 1990-1991 CASA volunteers were also in demand in Bedford County, Campbell County, and Nelson County. CASA of Central Virginia was incorporated in January 1994 and received its status as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in August 1994. Its service area includes the entire 24th Judicial District, a 2,258 square mile area that includes the City of Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, and Nelson. It also includes Appomattox after an expansion project in 2017. Appomattox is part of the 10th Judicial District. CASA of Central Virginia supports 80-90 volunteers each year. Those volunteers advocate for 200-250 children annually. The number of CASA volunteers needed to appoint to abused and neglected children continues to increase. We were unable to serve over 100 additional abused and neglected children last year due to not having a sufficient number of CASA volunteers available for appointment. Unfortunately, not every person who applies to become a CASA volunteer is able to meet all the requirements necessary to become a CASA volunteer. We have an extensive screening, interview, background checks and training process. Public support from individuals and companies help us focus more resources on recruitment such as radio ads, social media campaigns, billboards, and digital ads.