Help Change the Story for a Child in Foster Care

The mission of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Philadelphia is to train and support community volunteers to advance the welfare of children in foster care through effective advocacy.

CASA Volunteer Program
Philadelphia Countys CASA volunteer advocacy program recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers to monitor the individual needsof each child or sibling group both in and out of the courtroom to ensure they receive needed support and services. As the eyes and ears for the court, CASA volunteers carefully review health and education records, interview foster parents, parents, doctors, teachers and therapists, and provide a complete picture of the child to the court. CASA volunteers ensure that services are provided so that children make faster progress toward placement in a permanent, loving home with parents, relatives, or an adoptive family.Volunteer FAQCASA volunteers are people from all walks of life and backgrounds. No legal background is required. They are screened closely for objectivity, competence and commitment. All volunteers must pass background checks and be willing to commit approximately 10-15 hours a month for a minimum of 2 years (average length of a case).

CASA volunteers undergo 30 hours of pre-service training that addresses courtroom procedure, effective advocacy techniques for children, and specific topics ranging from early childhood growth and development to adolescent behavior.

CASA volunteers are paired with a staff supervisor to support and guide advocacy efforts and are supported via ongoing training opportunites.