National CASA Mission

National CASA standards describe the major criteria the CASA/GAL volunteer must meet. The following statements describe the CASA/GAL volunteer:

• An individual who has been screened and trained by the CASA/GAL program and appointed by the court to advocate for children who come into the court system primarily as a result of alleged abuse or neglect.

• An individual who respects a child�s inherent right to grow up with dignity in a safe environ�ment that meets that child�s best interests.

• An individual who assures that the child�s best interests are represented in the court at every stage of the case.

Georgia CASA Mission Statement

Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc. develops and supports court-sanctioned, community-based programs which provide trained and supervised volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court deprivation proceedings.

CASA Of Houston County Mission Statement

     Our Mission is to train, retain and supervise culturally responsive volunteers who advocate for the best interest of deprived children in Houston County; one child at a time.

GOALS:

1.     Increase the number of CASA volunteers to be recruited, screened, trained and certified.  By fiscal year 2005-2006 there will be 30 active volunteers sworn in for service in Houston County.  Recruitment and training will continue to meet and maintain this number.

2.     Increase service to children in Houston County.  Currently we serve around 60 deprived children.  There are over 180 children in Foster Care in Houston County.

3.     Community Awareness of CASA.  To obtain community awareness the CASA program will attend community health fairs, advertise locally, speak at community organizations and publish articles about CASA and child related issues.

4.     Funding to support implementation of above three goals.