The Basics
To understand what CASA does, you have to understand a little bit about the child welfare system and what the children involved go through. When CPS removes a child from his or her home because of abuse or neglect, several things happen. First, the process becomes a legal issue and enters the civil court system. The Texas Family Code outlines the timeframe and processes that must be followed during the civil proceedings.

The more significant and troubling thing that happens is that the world of the child or children who are removed gets abruptly turned upside down. They are taken from the only family they have ever known in order to save them from harm, placed in a new, unfamiliar home (foster home, group home or residential treatment center), in a new neighborhood with different neighbors and different sights, sounds and smells. School-age children who are removed often end up having to change schools, losing relationships with friends and teachers.

These children find themselves suddenly embroiled in a complicated legal process with lawyers, a judge, and various other adults asking them questions and making life-altering decisions about them. Most adults would do well to handle such abrupt and life-altering changes, yet every day children face this grim reality, and we expect them to carry on. The price of saving children from their parents’ neglect or abuse is high.

Where CASA comes in
What can be done to help these children and make sure they are not lost in an overburdened system, their voices drowned out by more powerful adult voices stating what is to become of them? That’s where CASA comes in. CASA is the voice of children in CPS cases. CASA volunteers make childrens' wishes known to the court and advocate for their best interest.

CASA does not make any decisions on these cases or hold the authority to move children, return them to their families, etc. Rather, CASA volunteers get involved and make recommendations to CPS and the courts based on the child or childrens' best interest. They do an independent investigation, monitor the case, and do whatever they can to make sure the kids get what they need.

CASA in action
What does that mean, exactly? Well, here are some examples:

Two siblings who were placed in foster homes in different communities had little contact with one another until their CASA got involved, and advocated that their contact be increased. The childrens' parents' rights had been terminated, and they were all they had left of their immediate family. CASA brought the lack of communication to the attention of the court, and also found a relative willing to be a "meeting point" for the children so it would be easier for them to visit. The children now talk regularly on the phone and have frequent visits.

A young boy in an emergency shelter lost his glasses, and desparately needed a new pair. No one was sure where his prescription was. His CASA advocate started calling local optometrists until he found the right one, and got a copy of the much-needed prescription to the right person so new glasses could be procured.

A pre-teen boy's parent's relinquished their rights. Although older children are often difficult to find adoptive homes for, a secretary at this child's school told the boy she wanted to adopt him. The boy ended up being moved to a foster home in a new community. The secretary that wanted to adopt him didn't give up - she and her husband went through the licensing process so they could adopt the boy. The boy's CASA worked dilligently to keep the young boy up-to-date on their progress, and advocated strongly that the couple be allowed to adopt this young boy into their family. The adoption took place last year.

When it became obvious to one CASA volunteer that the father on her case wasn't going to get his act together and care for his child, she decided to ask him if he would be willing to relinquish his parental rights. This would save everyone involved from going through the process of a trial for termination. More importantly, his child would be freed for adoption much sooner. The CASA volunteer drove to the father's house and sat on his front porch until he came in from work. The man agreed that he had no real interest in being a father and signed the appropriate paperwork, making it possible for his child to have a shot at being adopted into a loving family sooner rather than later.