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Rock the CASA
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. They are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. With the information provided by CASA volunteers, judges are able to make informed decisions as to what is best for the child - foster care, reunification, or adoption, and in a more timely fashion, so these children still have a chance at childhood.
CASA programs can help a displaced child find the security he or she needs to grow and reach full potential. Studies show that:
 Abused and neglected children who have CASA volunteers have a better chance of living in safe, permanent and loving homes than children who do not have volunteers.
CASA involvement often reduces the number of times a child is moved from foster home to foster home.
CASA cases are more likely to be reviewed on a regular basis by the court.
A child with a CASA volunteer is more likely to receive treatment through community services. CASA programs save tax dollars.
In 1989, Kappa Alpha Theta selected the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association as the philanthropy for our Fraternity. CASA, "A Child's Voice in Court," has member affiliates in more than 530 communities and more than 30,000 volunteers serving 100,000 children in all 50 states. New CASA programs start at the rate of more than four per month. CASA has been endorsed by the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the American Bar Association.
The Foundation's current two-year commitment to CASA is $120,000 to fund awareness projects and materials, an 800 number for information and referral, and the Kappa Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year Award.
http://www.nationalcasa.org/
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