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Mission Statement
CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties provide trained, court appointed volunteer advocacy to every abused and neglected child in the custody of Children’ s Protective Services.
Vision A safe, permanent, nurturing home for every child.
History
CASA is part of a national volunteer movement that began in 1977 when Judge David Soukup in Seattle decided he needed to know more about the children whose lives were in his hands. His solution was to ask community volunteers to act as a“ voice in court” for abused and neglected children. These Court Appointed Special Advocate ®( CASAs) provided him with the detailed information he needed to safeguard the children’ s best interests and ensure that they were placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. The program was so successful that it was copied around the nation.
CASA has continued to serve abused and neglected children in Texas for 25 years, providing trained community volunteers for every child who was assigned to the program through the court.
CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties is a 501( c) 3 nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors.
CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties is a member of the National and Texas CASA Associations. There are over 1,000 CASA programs nationwide and 74 CASA programs in the state of Texas.
Volunteering
CASA volunteers are everyday people – teachers, business people, retirees, stay-at-home moms and grandparents – who are committed to making a difference for children who might otherwise slip through the cracks in an overburdened foster care system. They are appointed by judges to guide one child or one set of siblings through the system to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. CASA volunteers research case records and speak to each person involved in a child’ s life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers and social workers. They monitor the progress of the child and family throughout the case and advocate for the child’ s current and future needs in court, in school and in agency meetings. Their independent evaluations allow the court to make better informed decisions. Because CASAs serve on one case at a time, they truly get to know the child and can give each case the sustained, personal attention it deserves.
We invite members of the community to join a family of volunteers and make a difference in a child’ s life.
Qualifications A CASA Volunteer must: Be 21 years of age or older. Successfully pass screening and background check requirements. Successfully complete initial training provided by the
CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties program.( 40 hours of initial training plus 3 hours of courtroom observation & 12 hours of continuing education) Be able to make a 12-month minimum commitment to a case.( An average of 10-15 hours per month) Be able to keep information confidential and work within established program guidelines.
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | APRIL 2025 | 9