We Provide Volunteer Advocates to Children in Foster Care

To ensure children have every opportunity to achieve stability, we match them with caring volunteers—called CASAs—who advocate for their best interests.

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What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)?

Consistent Presence

Children in foster care have experienced abuse and neglect. Once they enter the dependency system, their world suddenly includes court hearings, social workers, attorneys, and often new homes and schools. Amidst it all, a CASA is the one consistent, caring presence for a child.

Problem-Solver

From helping a child get glasses to ensuring their records transfer to new schools, a CASA is an expert problem-solver who makes things happen. With resources provided by Voices for Children, CASAs work alongside social workers, caregivers, attorneys, and other professionals to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Advocate

At regular intervals, CASAs report on children’s progress and needs. A CASA is able to help the judge understand not only the child’s needs, but also what they like to do, what their favorite color is, or why they are struggling in school. This individualized advocacy helps judges make the most informed decisions for each child’s future.

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Panel of youth speaking at Real Word event

Hear Directly from Our Youth

The Real Word is a panel comprised of courageous individuals who currently live or have lived in foster care, and who now speak both locally and nationally about life in the dependency system. Sign up to attend our next Real Word panel to hear what it’s like to move from home to home, how it feels to be separated from siblings, and how to cope in the face of adversity.

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This year, an estimated 3,500 children like Suamhirs and Austin will spend time in foster care in San Diego County and 4,000 will spend time in foster care in Riverside County. These children need you to speak up for them.

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