Making a difference ...

One Child at a Time!

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mariposa County was established in 2004 to serve the needs of children who, for their own protection, have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care. 

The goals of CASA of Mariposa County are to prevent these abused, neglected and abandoned children from becoming lost in the Juvenile Dependency system and to help find them a safe, permanent home as soon as possible. 

To achieve this, CASA of Mariposa County recruits, trains, supervises and supports community volunteers to serve as COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA) volunteers. 

CASAs are appointed by the Juvenile Court judge to conduct independent investigations of children's circumstances in the foster care system and report their findings to the court.  Volunteers advocate for what they believe to be in the child's best interests and are responsible for:

• Investigating and reporting the circumstances of the child to the court;
• Facilitating the delivery of services ordered by the court for the child;
• Monitoring compliance with other orders of the court; and
• Advocating in the court and community for the best interests of the child.

CASA volunteers maintain regular visits with the child they serve, getting to know the child as an individual, not just a case.  Most often, a child's CASA is the only person in the courtroom who has visited the child consistently and really understands the needs of the child. 

Volunteer advocates are a powerful voice for children, advising the court about what the child needs and wants.  While providing emotional support and the stability and nurturing every child deserves, they make recommendations that are in the child's best interest. 

You can make a difference!