<BODY BGCOLOR = #FFFFFF> <BLOCKQUOTE> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> <IMG SRC ="casa.gif" ALIGN=LEFT ALT="CASA"> <H2 ALIGN=RIGHT> Court Appointed Special Advocates<BR>of Rockland County, NY</H2> <BR>(914) 638-5678<BR> <BR> <FONT COLOR =#FF0000> <B>WHAT IS CASA?</B><BR> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> The Family Court needs concerned citizens to volunteer their time as advocates for the hundreds of abused and neglected children who are removed from their homes each year. The volunteers are called Court Appointed Special Advocates. <BR> <FONT COLOR =#FF0000> <B>WHAT WILL I DO AS A CASA?</B><BR> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> <UL><UL> <LI> Meet with the child, natural parents, foster parents, social worker, school, and any others who have information which would help in understanding the family situation.</LI> <LI>Present to Family Court a written report of findings and recommendations as to how best to help the child, and appear at court hearings to explain and/or elaborate on the report.</LI> <LI>Remain involved to insure that the child and family receive necessary services.</LI ></UL></UL> <FONT COLOR =#FF0000> <B>WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF CASA?</B><BR> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> The paramount goal of CASA is to see that the child's best interests are served. Among other things this means that the child is placed in a warm, secure and stable living situation; that each child and family receive needed services; that each child's placement is reviewed regularly. <BR> <FONT COLOR =#FF0000> <B>WHAT TYPE OF CHILD WILL I ENCOUNTER AS A CASA?</B><BR> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> The child can be of any age, from newborn to 18 years; of any race, religion, socioeconomic background. He or she will be involved with Family Court for a variety of reasons, often because of neglect or abuse. The child may be warm and attractive, or hostile and unattractive. Only one characteristic is certain -- the child will need help. <BR> <FONT COLOR =#FF0000> <B>HOW MUCH OF MY TIME WILL THIS TAKE?</B><BR> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> Generally, a CASA will have responsibility for only one family at a time. The amount of time required of an advocate varies from a few to many hours, depending on the child's situation. No one is asked to spend a specified number of hours per day or week on a case, and the time given to the program is at the convenience of the CASA. <BR> <FONT COLOR =#FF0000> <B>WHAT KIND OF TRAINING WILL I RECEIVE?</B><BR> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> Before being assigned to a child, each CASA participates in a formal training program, which includes observation of Family Court proceedings. Training continues throughout his or her involvement through on-going consultation with program staff and monthly seminars on topics of value and interest. Program staff will always be available to provide guidance, advice, or simply to act as a sounding board. <BR> <FONT COLOR =#FF0000> <B>WHO CAN BE A CASA?</B><BR> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> Anyone can submit an applicaton to become a CASA. No special background is required. The primary qualifications are concern for children; desire to help; maturity to understand and deal with complex emotional situations; ability to remain objective; dedication to the premise that all children have certain basic rights; willingness to cooperate with other participants in the system. <BR> <FONT COLOR =#FF0000> <B>HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CASA?</B><BR> <FONT COLOR =#0000FF> Very important. The CASA has a direct and significant impact on the child and family. His or her involvement will help to shape the child's future. The responsibilities and obligations of a CASA are to be taken very seriously, and should not be accepted lightly. </BLOCKQUOTE> <BR CLEAR ALL> <HR SIZE=3> <A HREF="http://www.planet-rockland.org"><IMG SRC="bttn1.jpg">Planet Rockland</A> <BR> <HR SIZE = 3> <ADDRESS> <FONT SIZE=2>Copyright © 1996, 1997 CASA of Rockland County , All rights reserved<BR> <FONT SIZE = 3> CASA of Rockland County<BR> Court Office Building<BR> New Hempstead Rd.<BR> New City, New York 10956<BR> (914) 638-5678<BR> http://www.planet-rockland.org/CASA<BR> First Created: October 1996<BR> Last Updated: April 14, 1997 </FONT> </ADDRESS> </BODY> </HTML>