About the Nonprofit
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CASA of South Central Missouri exists to be Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children in the South Central region of Missouri. CASA volunteers are highly trained with initial and ongoing education so that they can advocate and speak up for their assigned neglected and abused children who are placed in the foster care system.
CASASCMO volunteers meet with the child or sibling group a minimum of once a month to get to know the child(ren), their wishes regarding where they want to live, and to determine their best interests. In addition to this requirement, CASA's also contact case workers, family members, placement providers, educators, health care providers, and any other parties relevant to the case as needed. Information gathered from these contacts is then analyzed to determine best interests and needed care and/or services and then synthized and shared with other team members and written into a court report. The CASA then follows up on needed care or services to ensure the child receives them.
In our county, Pulaski County, the judge actually appoints the CASA's to the most troubling cases, many of which are placed in residential settings with little contact from family, in order "to have another set of eyes" for the judge on the child or sibling group. CASASCMO advocates can go to court to ensure that their appointed childrens' best interests are met and wishes are considered.
Children in foster care with a CASA have a consistent, caring adult in their CASA whereas other adults on their support team such as the case worker and even placement providers may change multiple times while they are in care. This consistency is priceless in the lives of children who need to have opportunities to develop trust.
Not only does CASASCMO advocate for foster children, it also advocates for services for their natural parents and/or placement homes with the prospect of better supporting natural parents and their children if they wish to be reunited. Services in the placement providers increase the quality of care and environment for the child while in care.
