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Southeast Nebraska CASA recruits, trains and supports community volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in the Gage, Saline, Thayer, Jefferson and Seward County court system.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers are well-trained and speak in court for the best interest of abused and neglected children. These children are in court due to no fault of their own. All of the children are victims of abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are appointed to a case by the judge. The volunteer's goal is to provide a carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child's future. Each home placement case is as unique as the child involved. The CASA volunteer researches the child's best interests to stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, or permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer 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. Right now in Gage County, 38 children have been removed from their home due to abuse and neglect, and are in need of a CASA Volunteer. This money will help Southeast Nebraska CASA recruit, train and support Gage County volunteers and give a voice to these children in court.