How does a CASA/GAL volunteer differ from a social service caseworker?

Social service caseworkers are employed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or other contracted agencies.  The CASA/GAL volunteer does not replace a social service caseworker; they provide a third party objective view to the court.  The CASA/GAL is assigned to one case at a time, giving them the time to spend learning about each child.  In addition, social service caseworkers often have 20 or more caseloads.

Are there any other agencies or groups that provide the same service?

No! There are other child advocacy organizations, but CASA Kane County is the only program where volunteers are appointed by the court to represent a child’s best interests.

How does a CASA/GAL volunteer differ from the Guardian ad Litem attorney?

The GAL may be an attorney and/or court appointed special advocate (CASA). For attorneys, the requisite training is satisfied within existing continuing legal education obligations. Our GAL Attorney’s represent the CASA and children as guardian’s ad litem in juvenile court proceedings.

The CASA/GAL are appointed by the juvenile court to look into the allegations made by the parties, to speak with each of them, their witnesses, the child, educators, therapists, medical practitioners, relatives, daycare providers, and others who have information that is relevant to the underlying issues and helpful to the GAL in formulating opinions and making recommendations to the Court about what outcome would serve the child’s best interest.

CASA’s are lay, volunteer GAL’s. They are trained in abuse and neglect (deprivation) cases, juvenile court procedures, and have met the requirements of (and are supervised by) a CASA program.

How do the legal system and child welfare system view CASA? 

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.  CASA is described as “the eyes and ears of the court,” and frequently acts as “the arms and legs” of an overworked child protective system.

How effective is the CASA Kane County program? 

Nearly 100% of our volunteers’ recommendations are accepted by the Judge.  Children who suffer abuse and neglect are at-risk of mental illness, unemployment, homelessness or engaging in criminal activity.  A major factor in preventing these outcomes is the presence of a concerned and consistent adult in that child’s life.  CASA Kane County is appointed to 100% of abuse and neglect cases in the 16th Juvenile Circuit Court of Illinois and children represented by a CASA/GAL last year did not experience a recurrence of abuse and neglect.

How effective are CASA programs throughout?

Preliminary findings show that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers spend less time in court and less time in the foster care system than those who do not have a CASA volunteer.  Children under CASA care are exposed to greater programs and services with health, mental health and educational benefits. Judges have observed that children advocated by CASA also have better behavioral reports and greater chances of finding permanent homes. 

Why do Judges listen to CASA?

CASA/GAL volunteers act as the child’s Guardian ad Litem, which means that they represent the child in litigation or in court proceedings.  They do not serve as a child’s legal guardian or custodian and they have no control over the child’s property but is an officer of the court.  What the CASA volunteer does have is the authority to gather information, to bring witnesses who will testify about what is best for the child involved and to make final recommendations to the Judge as an independent party in all court proceedings.  When others may not have the facts and/or do not have the time, it is the CASA who can provide critical and life changing information to ensure that our children get the chance to thrive and are not lost in the overburdened system.

What makes the CASA Kane County Organization unique?

CASA programs are the only volunteer organizations that are directly connected to the court. Kane County CASA/GAL volunteers are sworn-in and appointed by a judge to advocate for a child who otherwise may not be heard. As adults come and go in the lives of abused and neglected children, they desperately need one consistent adult to stay with them for the length of their court case. They research and learn what the child’s needs are, make recommendations and prevent a child from falling through the cracks of the child welfare system.

CASA Kane County is nonprofit volunteer organization advocating for the best interest of children in abuse and neglect situations throughout Northern Illinois. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian ad Litem) volunteers are specially trained to become the objective voice of a child for a judge.

CASA Kane County is currently seeking VOLUNTEERS! To learn more and Change a Child’s Story, please visit the organization’s website at www.casakanecounty.org or call 630-232-4484.

Want More Information About Volunteering?​

Take the First Step and Visit our Online Page for Information or to Attend an Informational Meeting.