CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) programs began in Seattle in the 1970s and have since expanded across the US to advocate for abused and neglected children in court. CASA volunteers are trained community members who investigate cases and make recommendations to judges to help ensure children's safety, well-being and permanent homes. There are now over 900 CASA programs serving over 70,000 children annually.

1. CASA ourt ppointed pecial dvocates

2. Concerned over making decisions about abused and neglected children's lives without sufficient information, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of these children in court. So successful was this Seattle program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates.

3. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today more than 900 CASA programs are in operation, with 70,000 women and men serving as CASA volunteers.

4. CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates, Program of Beaver County, Inc., is committed to recruiting, training and assigning volunteer advocates to provide accurate information to the Beaver County court system, that will assist the courts in deciding the resolution of a case, that best meets the physical, emotional and psychological needs of the child. All children have a right to a permanent home that provides loving, caring, respectful and safe treatment.

5. CASA ourt ppointed pecial dvocates for children CASA ourt ppointed pecial dvocates for children CASA ourt ppointed pecial dvocates for children What does having a CASA volunteer mean to an abused child? Imagine what it would be like to lose your parents, not because of something you did, but because they can’t - or won’t - take care of you. Now, into your life come dozens of strangers: police, foster parents, social workers, judges, lawyers, and more. Having a CASA volunteer means having by your side a trained and committed adult who has been appointed by a judge to watch over and advocate for your best interests. That volunteer will make sure you don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. They will be there for you until your case is closed. It can make the difference between homelessness and a safe home, between dropping out and completing school, between unemployment and success, between jail and becoming a productive member of society. What does having a CASA volunteer mean to an abused child? Imagine what it would be like to lose your parents, not because of something you did, but because they can’t - or won’t - take care of you. Now, into your life come dozens of strangers: police, foster parents, social workers, judges, lawyers, and more.

6. Having a CASA volunteer means having by your side a trained and committed adult who has been appointed by a judge to watch over and advocate for your best interests. That volunteer will make sure you don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. They will be there for you until your case is closed.

7. It can mean the difference between homelessness and a safe home, between dropping out and completing school, between unemployment and success, between jail and becoming a productive member of society.

8. What does a CASA do? CASA volunteers are the voice of hope for abused children. CASA, Beaver County is a private nonprofit organization that speaks up, through trained volunteers, for abused and neglected children in the court system. Our mission is to guide these children into safe environments where they can love, be loved, laugh and learn.

9. CASA, Beaver County ensures that a child who makes it out of an abusive home doesn’t become caught in the system. Trained, court-appointed volunteers guide abused and neglected children out of the foster care system, identify the child’s needs and locate rehabilitative and other services ranging from psychological treatment to educational assistance.

10. CASA volunteers gather all pertinent data and facts related to a child’s case and make recommendations to the judge overseeing the case, providing the judge with information needed to make an informed decision. Judges routinely request more CASA volunteers than are available. CASA volunteers are typically assigned to only one case at a time, which results in focus and effectiveness.

11. CASA is not involved in investigations, intake procedures or providing services to parents. CASA volunteers only work to achieve what is in the best interest of each child. Our volunteers have time to gather all the facts on each child’s case—time that others, like attorneys and CYS caseworkers, simply may not have. CASA, Beaver County’s goal is to see that every child who needs a CASA volunteer has one.

12. Who are the children? They are the children of Beaver County who: were born addicted to crack have been sexually abused; sometimes by multiple family members have a mom who prostituted to get money for drugs while they were left to wait in the cold have fathers and/or mothers that are incarcerated have been back and forth from home to foster care more than ten times were used to steal merchandise or smuggle drugs are diagnosed with mental retardation or mental health issues

13. Anyone 21 years of age or older with a desire to help abused and neglected children, who do not have a child abuse record or any criminal charges related to children, can think and work relatively independently, while maintaining Strict Confidentiality, complete the 30 hour required training, and devote at least 3 hours a week for a minimum of one year or until case assigned is completed. Who can be a CASA Hero?

14. Who are the Heroes of CASA Beaver County? They come from all walks of life, from different careers, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, and genders but share one common important factor--they are the voice for abused and neglected children The Advocates: Ashley Baker Penny Hagen Barbara Haslett Ashley Hodges Alice Lindsey Jennifer Miller Luke Silveria Ray Young

15. CASA Executive Board Members: Pam Brett Charles Capper Michael Darroch Diane Dornenberg Melvin Mikulich Scott Monit Bobbie O’Leary John O’Leary, Jr. Joe Pontoli, Sr. Carol Yakish

16. CASA Staff: Heather Yates, Executive Director Annette Groves, Administrative Assistant Cyndi Brown, Volunteer Coordinator Caitlin Newton , Junior Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates speaking up for abused and neglected children 250 Insurance Street, Suite 306 Beaver, PA 15009 Phone: 724-728-2146 Fax: 724-728-0359 [email_address] C ourt A ppointed S pecial A dvocates … ..speaking up for abused and neglected children Heather Yates Executive Director CASA Office: 250 Insurance Street Suite 306 P.O. Box 500 Beaver, PA 15009 Phone: 724-728-2146 Fax: 724-728-0359 [email_address] C ourt A ppointed S pecial A dvocates … ..speaking up for abused and neglected children Heather Yates Executive Director CASA Office: 250 Insurance Street Suite 306 P.O. Box 500 Beaver, PA 15009 Phone: 724-728-2146 Fax: 724-728-0359 [email_address] C ourt A ppointed S pecial A dvocates … ..speaking up for abused and neglected children Heather Yates Executive Director CASA Office: 250 Insurance Street Suite 306 P.O. Box 500 Beaver, PA 15009 Phone: 724-728-2146 Fax: 724-728-0359 [email_address]

17. Take a STAND Make a DIFFERENCE Change a LIFE