CASA in St. Charles County
About Us
Our Mission
It is the mission of the 11th Circuit CASA Program to provide trained community volunteers who will advocate for the best interest of abused or neglected children and speak up for their right to live in a safe, nurturing, and permanent home.
History of the CASA Program
In 1977, Seattle Superior Court Judge, David Soukup, was concerned about making decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information. He had the idea of appointing community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court. He made a request for volunteers—Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Fifty citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement.
So, what is CASA?
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Here's what they do:
CASA
Best-Interest Advocacy
LEARN
Learn all you can about the child and their family and life.
ENGAGE
Engage with the child during regular visits.
COLLABORATE
Collaborate with others to ensure that necessary services are provided and in the child's best interest.
REPORT
Report what you have learned and what you have observed to the court.
RECOMMEND
Speak up for the child's best interests in court. Make recommendations regarding the child's placement and needed services, and monitor the child's situation until the case is released by the court.
CASA Volunteers visit their children at least once a month, attend court and Family Support Team meetings, and visit with people who know the child. The information that the volunteer learns is then submitted to the presiding Judge on the child’s case, in the form of a court report, to help inform the court about a child’s wishes and well-being.
CASA Volunteers form special bonds with their children and create a relationship of consistency, trust, and communication. Whereas Caseworkers, Guardians ad Litem, and Juvenile Officers have many children and families with whom they work, CASA Volunteers are only required to work with one child or sibling group
Address
11th Circuit CASA Program
1700 South River Road
St. Charles, MO 63303
Phone
(636) 949-3040, ext. 4564
Hours
M-F 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
