King County Dependency CASA

The mission of the King County Dependency CASA program is to recruit, train and support CASA volunteers who provide high quality, best interest advocacy for abused and neglected children in the dependency system.

CASA volunteers act as guardians ad litem for abused and neglected children in the dependency system. CASA appointments are made by court order.  Each CASA conducts thorough research on the background of the case, reviewing documents and interviewing everyone involved, including the child. They also file motions on behalf of the child and make reports to the court recommending what they believe is best for the child, providing the judge with information that will help the court to make an informed decision. CASA volunteers can be instrumental in assuring that a child or family receives services which the court has ordered - things like substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling or special education testing. During the life of a case, a CASA volunteer monitors the child's situation to make sure the child remains safe. CASA volunteers may be the only constant person the child knows while moving through the labyrinthine child welfare system.