Champaign County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a not-for-profit
organization which trains and monitors volunteers who advocate for the best interests of
children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

CASA volunteers work through the juvenile court system to ensure prompt delivery of
needed services and make independent recommendations to the court concerning the
child’s well-being. CASA volunteers are trained and committed adults who have been
sworn in by a judge to watch over the children and advocate for their best interests.
Volunteers make sure children don’t get forgotten in the overburdened legal and social
service system or suffer in inappropriate group or foster homes. CASA volunteers spend
valuable one-on-one time with the children and provide important information to the
judge about the children’s lives. This is very helpful to the court in making decisions
about placements for the children. A CASA volunteer remains involved until the case is
closed.

CASA is the Guardian Ad Litem for all abused and neglected children in Champaign
County. Thus, a lawyer works with each case along with the CASA advocate.
Currently, Champaign County CASA serves approximately 410 children, thanks to
115 volunteer advocates. The children served range in age from newborn to 21 years.
Last year approximately 40% were under age 6.