"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."

- Maya Angelou

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What is the Organization's Mission?
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in Juvenile Court. A CASA Kane County is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system.

What is our Vision?
We believe that every child has the right to a safe, nurturing, and permanent home, and deserves the support and involvement of their community to make this all possible.

What is a CASA volunteer?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained volunteer who is appointed by the Judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children.  All volunteers must be at least 21 years old and pass a background check.  In Kane County, the CASA is appointed as the Guardian ad Litem and is actually a party to the case.

What prior experience or educational background do you need to become a CASA?
There are no formal requirements needed to become a CASA, but a potential volunteer must be 21 years old, pass a criminal background check, and complete our 40-hour training program.  Every new advocate is paired with an experienced volunteer who mentors the new advocate during their first year of service in addition to being closely supervised by a staff case manager. 

What is the CASA volunteer's role?
A CASA volunteer provides consistency to the child and ensures that their special needs and best interests are adequately represented in court.  The CASA program makes certain that the best interests of abused and neglected children are the primary focus of every decision made by the Juvenile Court Judge.  This is accomplished by meeting monthly with the children on their case, interviewing anyone who has relevant information to the case, researching records (medical, school, DCFS), monitoring the family's compliance with court orders (to receive counseling services, participate in anger management classes, etc.), attending school meetings and DCFS staffings, preparing reports for the judge prior to all court hearings, and participating in court hearings.  A CASA volunteer is appointed to one case at a time, and remains on the case until it is closed.   Cases last an average of two years.

What kind of training does a CASA receive?
After careful screening and back ground checks, volunteer candidates receive 40 hours of training.  The volunteer receives a comprehensive manual which covers the CASA – Guardian ad Litem role, court procedures, judicial protocol, program policies and additional training material.  The volunteer is provided with supervision and guidance and has presentations given by key partners like DCFS and the case managers describing their role further.  Throughout the year, in-service training is being offered to the advocate for on-going education.  A volunteer newsletter is distributed bi-monthly and a recognition dinner is also held annually.

How does a CASA collect information about a case?
The CASA volunteer talks with the child, family members, social worker, school personnel, health care providers, parents, foster parents and other who may have valuable information about the child's situation.  The CASA also reviews records that are pertinent to the case and the time that is required to work on each case depends on the complexity of the case and the experience of the CASA.

How does a CASA volunteer differ from a social service caseworker?
Social workers generally are employed by state governments.  They work on several cases at a time, and are frequently unable to conduct a comprehensive investigation of each.  The CASA volunteer is assigned to only one case at a time, and therefore has more time to invest in the case.  The CASA volunteer does not replace a social worker on the case; he or she is an independent appointee of the court.  The CASA has knowledge of community resources, and can make a recommendation to the court independent of state agency restrictions.

How does a CASA volunteer differ from an attorney?
The CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation in the courtroom.  However, the CASA does provide crucial background information that assists attorneys in presenting their cases.  It is important to remember that CASA volunteers do not represent a child's wishes in court.  Rather, they speak to the child's best interests.

Who benefits from the work of CASA?
The direct beneficiaries are the nearly 500 children served each year under Juvenile and Probate Court system who are protected from further abuse and neglect. The Court benefits from our work as we assist Judges in making difficult decisions, including determining the child's immediate living situation, planned permanent placement and services needed. The entire community benefits in the long term as children who are given a better life will grow into happier, healthier and more productive adults who provide positive care and support for their children, rather than continue the cycle of abuse.

Shouldn't every abused/neglected child be permanently removed from the abusive caregiver?
CASA volunteers work in partnership with key professionals in determining the best outcome for each child. Removal from a family of origin is always a traumatic event that can create life long problems for a child. In some cases, a family can be provided resources, support and training that will help a troubled family find healthy ways to interact and provide care. There are many achievable positive outcomes for a child - adoption, reunification, independent living or guardianship with relatives are the most viable answers to the child's need for a safe, permanent home.

Do judges, lawyers, and social workers support CASA?
Yes.  CASA has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice. 

What makes CASA different from other organizations?
There is no other organization in Kane County that provides the services that we do to train and case manage volunteers to provide advocacy for the best interests of the child.

How would you document the need for our work?
Every day four children in the U.S. die from child abuse and neglect.  DCFS receives over 3,500 hotline calls each year in Kane County alone, and CASA Kane County receives 100% of all cases after being directed to the courts and sufficient evidence of abuse and neglect has been found.

What do people say about our work?
According to our current State's Attorney, "CASA is the conscience of the court room." Our volunteers say things like "It's about helping a child replace fear with hope," and "I can help a child find a safe, permanent home."  In addition, the Judges at the Illinois Child Welfare Summit are saying, "CASA is the number one strength within the Juvenile Court system."

How effective is the CASA Kane County Program?
99% of our volunteers’ recommendations to where the child should be placed are accepted by the Judge.  Children who suffer abuse and neglect are at-risk of becoming juvenile delinquents, or worse, violent adult criminals.  A major factor in preventing these outcomes is the presence of a concerned and consistent adult in that child’s life.  CASA Kane County asks for a minimum two-year commitment from all new volunteers to ensure that the CASA will serve as a consistent figure in the child’s life. 

How much time does volunteering as a CASA require?
Each case is different.  A CASA volunteer usually spends 10 hours doing research and conducting interviews prior to the first court appearance.  After the first appearance, volunteers will spend 5-10 per month working on the case and visiting with the children, depending on the complexity of the issues involved.  The average length of a case is two years.  Before becoming a CASA, volunteers must complete a 40-hour training course. All active volunteers are expected to earn 12 hours of continuing education each year (continuing education seminars are provided by CASA Kane County).

When was the CASA program established?;
CASA Kane County was established in 1988.  It is based on a successful national model that was developed in 1977 by a Judge David W. Soukup from Seattle, Washington.

Why does CASA Kane County need money if the program consists of unpaid volunteers?

Our organization is comprised of ten full and part-time staff members who recruit, train, and case manage more than 200 volunteers every year.  As with any nonprofit organization, there are administrative, fundraising and operating expenses necessary to run our program.

How qualified is the CASA staff?
The CASA staff is well qualified as well as extremely devoted to CASAs mission. Executive Director, Gloria Bunce, has more than 15 years experience in development, marketing, public relations and non-profit organizations. Program Director, Kathy Furgason has over 20 years of experience as a CASA volunteer and case manager. All other case managers, Director of Advocate Training,  Annual Giving Manager and our Business Manager have over 10-20 years of experience.

Does it ever get upsetting dealing with such troubling issues involving children?
At times it does become upsetting because we are dealing with sad and disturbing situations. The key for our volunteers is to manage those feelings by talking to their case manager, mentor, or other CASA volunteers.  We try to help our advocates learn to manage these feelings and remember that they need to maintain their objectivity and focus on what is in the best interests of the child.

Can CASA volunteers turn a case down?
Yes.  The case managers will try to find the right fit between a case and available volunteers.  The case manager will then meet with the CASA to explain the details surrounding the case, and the CASA then decides whether they can commit to the case.

What are the demographics of the children being served?
Almost half of the children we serve come from Aurora, which is understandable given the size of the city.  Roughly 30% reside in Elgin.  Children from the Tri-Cities account for less than 10% of the children served. (There is more information on this topic in our Annual Report, which is available online.)

Why do some children get placed in so many different homes?
Each child and case is unique. For example, if a child has challenging needs, foster parents may decide it is too much for them to handle and call the foster agency to ask that a new placement be secured.  In some cases, the child's behaviors are a danger to the other children in the home.

How often do children go back to their parents?
About an average of 20% of the cases end with children being returned home.  For the first year, the case goal is always to have the child return home. In order to realize this goal, the parents must cooperate by either leaving an abusive spouse/partner, completing drug rehabilitation, completing anger management, participating in counseling, or participating in parenting classes.  In some cases, the parent must find safe housing and employment that will allow them to adequately care for their children.  In those cases in which the child cannot return home, it is frequently a relative who becomes their permanent caregiver.

Does the CASA remain involved in the child's life after the case is closed?
It's entirely up to the CASA and the family whether there is any continued involvement.  Once the case is closed, CASA has no more legal standing in regards to the child.  However, some CASA's do maintain some contact.  Families may send school photos, holiday cards, or invite the CASA to special events such as a graduation or other milestone.

How frequently are the parents in abuse/neglect cases previous victims of abuse/neglect themselves?
Abuse and neglect is often a cycle, but the cycle can be stopped.  This can be accomplished once the parent chooses to do what is necessary to lead a healthier life (counseling, rehab, etc.), or by placing the child into a safe, nurturing home with positive role models.

What are the benefits to supporting CASA?  
The cost of providing CASA benefits to a child are about $2,500 each year.  This small investment pays major dividends in providing a better quality of life, healthier environment, and opportunity to influence a positive future.  By helping to save a child from a life of abuse and neglect, we provide an alternative to the cycle of victims becoming abusers and passing the heredity of violence. Abused and neglected children have a friend and an advocate who is committed to and solely focused on that child's welfare. Children represented by a CASA volunteer do not fall through the cracks of the child welfare system.  It is a way to give back to your community and receive a charitable tax deduction.

What is CASA Kane County's annual budget?
Our annual operating budget is $1,000,000 including volunteer time that totaled 16,000 hours in 2008.

What are the main sources of CASA's revenue?

What is CASA's Endowment Fund?
CASA has an endowment fund that is administered by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.  The program earns interests off of the money that has been invested in this fund.  CASA Kane County cannot invade the principal.  As the amount of the fund grows, the amount of interest collected each year will also increase.  People donate to an endowment fund to insure that the program will exist well into the future.  It is a source of revenue that can never be fully depleted.

CASA is a national organization - does my money stay local?
Absolutely it does - 100% stays local and each CASA program runs independently.  Illinois CASA and the National CASA Association are supportive of local programs and provide valuable information regarding marketing and grant opportunities.

What is the average cost to recruit, train and case manage an advocate?
$2,700 - this figure is based on the overall cost to run the program.

Does CASA Kane County receive any Federal or State funding? 
No, CASA Kane County does not receive federal or state funding.  However, we have been fortunate to receive $50,000 from the Kane County River Boat Grant over the past several years.  They also provide us with offices in the Kane County Courthouse and Judicial Center.

What can I do to help?
The most important thing you can do is to stay informed.  Watch your mail and newspaper on upcoming events and programs.  Understand how your dollars are making a difference, and please stop by the office anytime to learn firsthand how your dollars are being spent.

Does CASA accept planned gifts?
Yes - the CASA Board of Directors and the staff are pleased to work with donors on all types of planned gifts.  In addition, the board and staff will encourage the donor to consult with their own financial advisor on what is best for his/her financial portfolio.

How many CASA programs are there?
There are nearly 1,000 programs throughout the United States.  There are 32 programs within the State of Illinois.

How many CASA programs in Illinois are GAL programs?
In Illinois, there are 13 Guardian ad Litem programs.

What is the role of the National CASA Association?
The National CASA Association is a nonprofit organization that represents and serves local CASA programs.  It provides training, technical assistance, research, media, and public awareness services to members.  All CASA programs must pass a comprehensive quality assessment in order to retain their membership status with the national organization.

How do I get more information about volunteering for CASA Kane County?

CASA Kane County
Kane County Courthouse
100 S. Third Street  - Suite 460
Geneva, IL 60134.
Phone: 630-232-4484
Fax: 630-232-4562
E-mail: general@casakanecounty.org
Website: www.casakanecounty.org


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