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Saturday, September 04, 2010

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Metro Atlanta CASA?

The Metro Atlanta CASA Collaborative (Metro Atlanta CASA) was formed in 2004 when Georgia CASA and Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb and Clayton County CASA programs banded together to launch a cooperative campaign designed to recruit, train and retain a CASA volunteer force large enough to meet metro Atlanta's growing needs, and make CASA volunteers the rule - not the exception - in child abuse and neglect cases. Read more about Metro Atlanta CASA.

What is a CASA Volunteer?

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASAs are volunteers that are specially trained to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children who are in foster care. Read more in our volunteer section.

How is a CASA different from a social worker?

Social workers are employed by the state and often are assigned to more than 20 cases at a time. The social worker is responsible for helping an entire family, which does include setting up individual services for the family members. A CASA volunteer is the advocate for the child, is not paid, works with only a few cases at a time and does not set up services. The CASA volunteer does not replace the social worker on a case; he or she is an independent officer with the court and works within the system to advocate what is in the child's best interest.

How is a CASA different from an attorney?

The CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation for the child in the courtroom; he or she does not replace an attorney.

How does CASA differ from the Big Brother/Big Sister Program?

CASA volunteers are only appointed to children who have come to the attention of the juvenile court system due to abuse or neglect. Like the Big Brother/Big Sister Program, the CASA volunteer does develop a relationship with the child through frequent contact; however, the primary role of the CASA volunteer is to gather information about the child, write reports to the court and attend court hearings. The CASA program is not a mentoring program. There is also a policy to not transport children within all Georgia CASA programs.

Who does Metro Atlanta CASA serve?

Metro Atlanta CASA serves abused and neglected children right here in metro Atlanta who have been removed from their home as a result of abuse and neglect. They range in age from 0-17, they come from all races and ethnicities, but they have one thing in common - they have been traumatized at the hands of those who were supposed to be their protectors. Once the children are taken into DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services) custody, their cases are overseen by judges in the juvenile courts who look to CASA volunteers to provide recommendations about what is in the best interest of the children - now and for the future. Read real stories of children served by CASA volunteers in metro Atlanta.

How do I become a volunteer with a CASA program?

The first step toward becoming a CASA volunteer with a Metro Atlanta CASA program is to participate in an orientation session. Read more on our Orientation page.

How do I know which Metro Atlanta CASA program serves my area?

Select a program to see which communities it serves: Clayton County CASA, Cobb County CASA, DeKalb County CASA, Fulton County CASA, Gwinnett County CASA, and Georgia CASA.

How do I contact a Metro Atlanta CASA program directly?

Click on the program you are interested in contacting for more information: Clayton County CASA, Cobb County CASA, DeKalb County CASA, Fulton County CASA, Gwinnett County CASA, and Georgia CASA

What if I am interested in a CASA program in Georgia that is not part of the Metro Atlanta CASA Collaborative?

Visit http://www.gacasa.org/program_directory.php for a list of the CASA programs in Georgia and their contact information.

How does Metro Atlanta CASA raise funds?

The Metro Atlanta CASA Collaborative's mission to dramatically increase the number of children who have a CASA volunteer in the metro Atlanta area is achievable only through the generosity of those right here in the Atlanta community including foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Working together with the support of our community, we can ensure that our community's most vulnerable victims receive the attention and advocacy they deserve. Learn how you can donate to Metro Atlanta CASA today.