Help Dr. Phil and Robin Spread the Word!

Dear Ann,

Take a look at the blog Dr. Phil posted in celebration of Father's Day and the ongoing need to recruit more men to serve as CASA volunteers. Celebrate Father's Day by sharing this link with your favorite dad.

A CASA volunteer gives an abused and neglected child a voice, in the courtroom and in the community. And 400,000 children are waiting for a CASA volunteer to step up. We won't rest until 100% of the waiting children have a CASA volunteer at their side.

Join Dr. Phil and Robin--and all of us at CASA for Children--and help us continue to spread the word.

Sincerely,
Michael S. Piraino
Chief Executive Officer
National CASA Association - CASA for Children

What is CASA?

The Court Appointed Special Advocate program is authorized by the State of Virginia and provides trained volunteers to advocate on behalf of children who are subjects of juvenile court proceedings involving allegations of abuse and neglect. Appointed by juvenile court judges, CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of children to ensure that they do not get lost in an overburdened egal system or languish in an inappropriate foster or group home. CASA volunteers stay with each child's case until the child is in a safe, permanent home with hope for a positive future. There are 29 local CASA programs in Virginia. Since 1992, the number of CASA programs has more than double across the state, from 13 to 29 in 2005. the volunteer workforce has grown from 485 in 1992 to 1,347 in 2006. Last year in the United States, there were 70,900 CASAs who helped 237,000 children find safe, permanent homes.
Goochland CASA is a member of National CASA.

CASA Volunteers

As county budgets tighten, CASA provides a way for citizens to get involved in solving social problems that is cost effective and over time will save the county money. Volunteer hours are valued at $23.36 per hour, based on the Virginia Commission for National and Community Service annual hourly rate. A recent survey of Juvenile Court judges indicate that CASA volunteer recommendations are "frequently incorporated into the hearing court order". CASAvolunteers make a difference in the outcomes for children through the submission of fact based court reports with thoughtful recommendations based on the interests of the child.