Every year, more than 20,000 Dallas County children are reported abused or neglected. Some of them must be removed from their homes because it isn’t safe for them to remain. Many enter foster care and wait for the complex, often lengthy process in which a judge will determine where they may safely and permanently live. During this time they may move from one temporary home to another, never knowing what will happen next. This is where a CASA volunteer steps in.

Dallas CASA volunteers are voices for abused and neglected children in court. CASA volunteers are trained and supervised to gather information and make recommendations that help judges decide the best possible outcome for children in foster care.

CASA volunteers get to the know the children, review records, research information and talk to everyone involved in a child’s life — social workers, attorneys, judges, parents, teachers and family members. The volunteers then make recommendations to the court that help judges decide the best permanent home for the children.

For CASA volunteers, the ultimate goal is to help ensure that all of the children in protective care find safe, permanent homes where they can thrive. Some children reunite with parents or relatives, while others make a connection with adoptive parents.

For many children, a CASA volunteer is the only constant during a frightening, uncertain time. Few volunteer roles have such a critical and immediate impact on the life of a child as that of a CASA volunteer.