Nevada CASA

Project Overview

Nevada CASA Association champions the needs of abused and neglected children by supporting and expanding the capacity of local Nevada CASA programs. Before the pandemic, statewide CASA was only serving about a quarter of the children who qualified for a CASA. With the number of reported abuse and neglect cases on the rise, the need for trained CASA Advocates is at a critical point. CASA volunteers are appointed to a case by the judge. The volunteer's goal is to advocate for the best interests of the child. They provide a background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child's future - to stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, or permanent adoption, makes a recommendation on placement and follows through on the case until it is permanently resolved. CASA volunteers are often the only stable factor in an often frightening and difficult ordeal for a child. The state CASA association is taking the lead to recruit new volunteers and increase local staffing levels to train, supervise and retain these volunteers.