All children have a right to a home with loving people to care for them. However, each year in the United States, millions of children are abused, neglected, or abandoned by their families. Over 430,000 children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care or institutions. Eventually, they end up in court. Their only "crime" is that they have been victims.
In Washington state, more than 10,000 abused and neglected children are caught up in the court system, where a judge decides their future.
In these cases, many children become victims a second time, lost in an overburdened child welfare system that cannot pay close attention to each child. Sometimes a child can remain adrift in foster care for months, even years, losing all sense of security and permanency.
What exactly is a CASA/VGAL?
Court Appointed Special Advocate/Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/VGAL) means having a friend in court, a "guardian through litigation." When decisions about a child's future are being made by the Juvenile Court, an appointed CASA/VGAL is sworn to represent to the judge what is in the child's best interest.
- First and foremost, CASA/VGALs help to save children's lives.
- The CASA/VGAL is a well-trained, well-informed volunteer.
- CASA/VGAL volunteers help to prevent abuse.
You can volunteer to advocate for children in court.
You can help ensure that children do not become the forgotten victims of family crisis.