Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Tarrant County assists family courts by providing trained volunteers who advocate on behalf of children who have experienced abuse and neglect by making recommendations for safe and permanent homes. We are a volunteer-powered agency where children's lives are changed every day.

Every year, hundreds of Tarrant County children are removed from their caregivers and placed in foster care due to abuse and/or neglect. The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has gained legal custody of these children, and has approximately one year to either reunite them with family, or place them up for adoption. These children are at risk for falling through the cracks of an overburdened child welfare system. CASA of Tarrant County provides trained, caring and unbiased volunteers who take a stand for the children on the case they represent.

CASA of Tarrant County is part of a nationwide organization of Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA of Tarrant County is accredited by both National CASA and Texas CASA.

Volunteer advocates are appointed by judges to advocate for children’s best interests. This best-interest advocacy makes a life-changing difference for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect, many of whom are in foster care.

After completing a 33-hour training class provided by CASA of Tarrant County, newly sworn in volunteers are assigned a Child Advocacy Specialist. The specialist guides, mentors, and supports the volunteer throughout the entire life of the court case. Volunteers follow set protocol for minimum standards, including visiting the child regularly. Volunteer advocates work closely with, but independent of, DFPS and attorneys.

The role of the volunteer advocate is:

* Information Gathering for the Judge:

The volunteer advocate talks with the child, parents, family members, school officials, health providers, and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history. The volunteer advocate then provides the judge with a carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child's future.

* To Speak for the Child in Court: The volunteer advocate makes a recommendation to the judge for permanent placement, whether it is in the best interest of the child to live with the parent(s), live with relatives, remain in foster care, or be available for permanent adoption.

CASA volunteers offer children consistency, trust, and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. Throughout the ongoing relationship, CASA volunteers also encourage the child to express his or her own opinions about permanency while remaining objective observers. Pre-service training includes ways to engage children of various ages, life experiences and backgrounds. CASA volunteers are not responsible for investigating allegations of abuse. A volunteer's interactions with a child are focused on building a healthy, safe connection with a caring advocate.

Caseworkers are employed by a DFPS contractor. They work on many cases at a time and are frequently unable to conduct a comprehensive information gathering. The CASA volunteer has more time and a smaller caseload (an average of 1-2 cases at a time). The CASA volunteer does not replace a caseworker on a case; they are an independent appointee of the court. The CASA volunteer examines a child's case thoroughly, knows about available community resources, and makes a recommendation to the court, independent of state agency restrictions.

The volunteer advocate does not provide legal representation in the courtroom; that is the role of the attorney. A volunteer advocate speaks specifically to what is in the best interests of the child and provides crucial background information that assists attorneys in presenting their cases. The volunteer does not provide legal advice or legal representation.

CASA has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Any child who has been abused or neglected and has become a ward of the court may be assigned a volunteer advocate per a judge's request. There are many children in Tarrant County who are waiting for a CASA volunteer.

The Texas Legislature sets aside funds specifically for Texas CASA programs, which are distributed by our state organization. The remaining funds are raised through foundation grants, civic and corporate organizations, individual contributions, 3rd party fundraisers, and CASA's special events.

No. There are other child advocacy organizations, but CASA of Tarrant County is the only program consisting of volunteers appointed by the court to represent a child's best interests. We are a truly unduplicated service.

A great way to support CASA is to make a donation. Every donation makes an immediate and direct impact on an abused child's life.

Volunteer advocates come from all walks of life, representing a variety of ethnic, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Over half of our volunteer advocates are employed full-time, some are college students, and some are retired. The one thing they have in common is the understanding and belief that every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent home.

Each case is different. A CASA volunteer usually spends more time collecting information prior to the first court appearance. Volunteers spend approximately 5-10 hours a month maintaining contacts and gathering information. The length of the case can vary, but typically the case will be between 12 to 18 months long. It's critical that volunteers carefully consider this long-term commitment before accepting a case. These children need a strong advocate to work with them through their difficult time, and consistency is key.

Yes! Volunteer requirements can be done on a flexible schedule. Most CASA responsibilities entail phone calls/research, foster-home visits, and meetings that can be scheduled according to your availability. Few requirements are completed during a typical workday, "8am-5pm" , with ample notice (at least 2 weeks in advance). Those things might consist of court hearings, parent-child visits, or communication with involved professionals that might only work 8am-5pm (teachers, doctors, lawyers, therapists, etc.)

Volunteers have a Child Advocacy Specialist assigned to help them and work directly with them throughout their case. Child Advocacy Specialists are professionals in the field with vast experience in child welfare.

Volunteer advocates are not required to have a background in law; CASA of Tarrant County provides all the necessary training. We conduct monthly trainings. The 33-hour blended learning course combines online and classroom training. It provides volunteer advocates with an overview of courtroom procedure from judges, lawyers, and caseworkers. Volunteers also learn about specific topics ranging from the causes and trauma of abuse and neglect, to early childhood development, life experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.

Volunteer advocates must be at least 21 years of age and satisfactorily pass a fingerprint background check (which includes Social Security Number verification, a criminal background check, and sex offender registry checks). They also must provide references, complete an interview and have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to be both compassionate and objective. The first step is to sign up for an Information Session!