COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES OF MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES INC

CASA IS THE ONLY COURT-AUTHORIZED ADVOCACY PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE IN MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES. WE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO BRING CHILDREN BETTER TOMORROWS:CHILD ADVOCACY: IN THIS CORE PROGRAM, CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND ABANDONMENT, AND LIVING IN FOSTER HOMES, OR RESIDENTIAL CENTERS ARE ASSIGNED TO TRAINED VOLUNTEERS FOR ADVOCACY IN THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM. THE VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN GATHERING INFORMATION ON EACH CHILD, ORGANIZING IT FOR THE COURT, AND MAKING INFORMED RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT ON THE NEXT STEPS NECESSARY TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES. THE VOLUNTEERS WORK TO PROVIDE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR EACH CHILD WITH EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORTS, RESOURCES, AND SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT EACH CHILD IS IN A SAFE, NURTURING, AND PERMANENT HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THROUGHOUT EACH CASE, VOLUNTEERS ARE SUPERVISED BY CASA STAFF.VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING: THIS PROGRAM'S PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A STEADY STREAM OF COMMITTED CITIZENS FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO ACT AS ADVOCATES WITHIN THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE. POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS ATTEND INFORMATION SESSIONS TO HEAR ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN, AND THE CASA MISSION. THE CANDIDATES CONTINUE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF INTERVIEWS, BACKGROUND CHECKS, VOLUNTEER SELECTION, 36 HOURS OF TRAINING, AND SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES THAT ARE PRESIDED OVER BY FAMILY COURT JUDGES. ONCE SWORN-IN, EACH TRAINEE IS APPROVED TO RECEIVE A CASE ASSIGNMENT.FOSTERING FUTURES (FF): THE FF PROGRAM'S GOAL IS TO OFFER MENTORING AND ADVOCACY SERVICES WHILE EMPOWERING YOUTH, AGES 14 TO 21, TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES BEYOND THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. SINCE 2014 THIS HAS BEEN AN ESSENTIAL PROGRAM WHERE SPECIALLY TRAINED VOLUNTEER MENTORS WORK WITH YOUTH TO INVESTIGATE THEIR NEEDS, IDENTIFY ASPIRATIONS, AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO ACHIEVE GOALS AND SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING. EACH MENTOR IS SUPERVISED BY STAFF FF PROGRAM CASE SUPERVISORS FOR THE DURATION OF EACH CASE.