Although we don’t have hundreds of children in foster care in Inyo and Mono Counties the ones we do have are no less worthy of having an advocate to help them along their journey.
What is CASA
of the Eastern Sierra?
Court Appointed Special Advocated (CASA) provides trained volunteers to be champions for the individualized best interests of children in Foster Care in Inyo and Mono counties.
Our Mission
The mission of CASA is to ensure a safe, permanent and nurturing home for every abused and/or neglected child in the Eastern Sierra by providing a highly-trained volunteer to advocate for them within the dependency court system.
Our goal is to make a positive and long-lasting difference in each child's life.
Why CASA?
Each day in California, approximately 70 children join the state’s population of nearly 80,000 children in foster care. These children were abused or neglected and then removed from their families and the place they called home. Though they have social workers and lawyers, these professionals can and do change during the course of a child’s case.
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A CASA volunteer is a dependable, caring adult who stays with a child throughout the duration of their case, working with the professionals to ensure their child’s voice is heard. They are appointed by a judge to be ‘the eyes and ears’ of the court. CASA volunteers offer a neutral, third-party opinion to the court, one that is unbiased and child-focused.
What does
a CASA do?
A CASA Volunteer is a consistent support for a child in their time of crisis. Advocates care deeply and work for the best interest of children who enter the court system as a result of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Advocates form a relationship with their assigned child and interview parents, teachers, social workers, and anyone who might have insight into the needs, challenges, and strengths of the child. Volunteers work as part of a team (with professionals) to ensure the child’s best interests are being met.
how to become
an advocate
Request Information
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Call us at 760-873-6601
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Email us at info@casaeasternsierra.org
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Send us an info request to find out about upcoming info nights or training.
Submit an Application
All potential advocates must fill out an application, pass background checks, and participate in an “interview” with CASA staff. Get started now!
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Complete Advocate Training
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Complete 30 hours of training.
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Participate in a court observation.
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Get sworn in by the Courts.
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Get assigned to a child in our community.
CASA Volunteers play a vital role in changing the lives and trajectories of Foster Youth.
CASA Volunteers give a voice to our community’s children who need us the most. Children with a CASA Volunteer are:
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Half as likely to re-enter foster care
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Substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care
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Connected with more Support Services
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More likely to perform better academically
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…..
Have the support of a consistent, responsible adult who is not obligated but chooses to be part of their life during a time of great crisis.
Do you want to help change a child’s story? Get started NOW!
Download CASA Volunteer Application