CASA Philadelphia

In 1977, a Seattle judge named David Soukup conceived the idea of appointing volunteer citizens to "be a voice for the voiceless." Concerned about making critical decisions with insufficient information, Judge Soukup appointed trained volunteer advocates to speak up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom. Since then, CASA has grown a network of 950 state and local programs across the country.

Judges appoint CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers to be the "eyes and ears" of the court - to advocate for abused and neglected children so their needs don't get overlooked by the system. Volunteers make a two-year commitment to CASA, staying with their assigned child until their case is closed by the court and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer is the one constant adult presence in their lives. Independent research has demonstrated that children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care (3 years or more) and less likely to re-enter care.

In Philadelphia CASA also trains and supervises Educational Decision Makers (EDM) who legally speak to the educational rights and services needed for children in care who do not have an adult to speak for their educational needs.

Learn more by signing up for aninformation session.

Volunteer Your Time to Change a Child's Life

Children in foster care long for a safe, loving family. CASA and EDM volunteers are empowered by the courts to help make this dream a reality by not only bringing positive changes to the lives of these vulnerable children, but also to their children and generations to come. In doing so, volunteers enrich their own lives as well!

What Do CASA and EDM volunteers Do?

• They listen first. Then they act.
• CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of children who have been abused and/or neglected. EDM volunteers advocate on behalf of a childs educational needs by fulfilling the legal parental role for making educational decisions on behalf of the child.
• CASA volunteers get to know their child by talking to everyone in his/her life: parents, relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers, etc. EDM volunteers get to know their child and meet with school personnel, caseworkers, and placement facility staff about the childs educational needs.
• They use the information gathered to inform judges of the child's needs, best interests and wishes.

Who Can Be a Volunteer?

You do not have to be a lawyer or social worker to be a volunteer! However, youmust be at least 21 years old, and pass criminal and child abuse clearances. To be a CASA or EDM volunteer, you must complete 30 hours of pre-service training. As an EDM volunteer, you must also complete two extra hours of additional training. You can also choose to become both a CASA and EDM volunteer. As a volunteer, you will be thoroughly trained and well supported by professional staff to help you through your case.