Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
“CASA’s mission is to speak in the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA Volunteer Advocates help to assure each child a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.”
Every year, thousands of reports of child abuse and neglect are recorded in Cumberland, Overton, Putnam, and Smith counties. Following investigation, hundreds will be substantiated. Sadly, the number of reports is just “the tip of the iceburg”. The crime of child abuse is underreported because people are afraid to come forward report their suspicions-and the suffering continues.
This crime against the innocent occurs in families of all types, regardless of social status, wealth, race or national origin. Without the dedication of CASA Volunteer Advovates, these vulnerable children will enter a system without anyone to voice their needs and their wishes. No one focused on the best possible outcome for the child…
Court Appointed Special Advocates are solely for the child throughout the case. Sworn-in by the jodge, CVAs have the court’s authority to interview physicians, educators, neighbors, anyone, with knowledge about the child’s situation.
CASA Program Goals
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To recruit and train community volunteers to advocate for every Putnam, Overton, Cumberland and Smith County abused and neglected child.
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To provide ongoing training and support for CASA Volunteer Advocates (CVAs) who, appointed by the court, are authorized and equipped to conduct in-depth interviews on behalf of the court–with anyone having information that can lead to safe, permanent homes for the abused and neglected children they serve.
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To focus solely on the best possible outcome for the child.
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To ensure periodic Reports to the Court are submitted and available to the judge who will be making determinations about the child’s future. The Report to the Court details and summarizes the CVA’s independent investigations.
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To monitor the safety of the child’s custodial environment through twice-monthly home visits.
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To provide a safe future with greater possibilities for abused and neglected children in Putnam, Cumberland, Overton and Smith counties.
CASA Program Goals
-
To recruit and train community volunteers to advocate for every Putnam, Overton, Cumberland and Smith County abused and neglected child.
-
To provide ongoing training and support for CASA Volunteer Advocates (CVAs) who, appointed by the court, are authorized and equipped to conduct in-depth interviews on behalf of the court–with anyone having information that can lead to safe, permanent homes for the abused and neglected children they serve.
-
To focus solely on the best possible outcome for the child.
-
To ensure periodic Reports to the Court are submitted and available to the judge who will be making determinations about the child’s future. The Report to the Court details and summarizes the CVA’s independent investigations.
-
To monitor the safety of the child’s custodial environment through twice-monthly home visits.
-
To provide a safe future with greater possibilities for abused and neglected children in Putnam, Cumberland, Overton and Smith counties.
How can YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE in a child’s future?
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Ask for more information about being a CASA Volunteer.
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Donate to support a child’s right to a safe, permanent home.
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REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE 1-877-237-0004
Volunteer
WHO IS A VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE?
CASA Advocates are ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
With diverse educational backgrounds, careers, and stages of life,
they have one thing in common:
THE BELIEF THAT ALL CHILDREN
HAVE THE RIGHT TO A SAFE, PERMANENT HOME.
When Volunteer Advocates accept a case, they know they take on a child’s future. Generally the commitment is for one year (or until the assigned case is resolved). CVA’s will gather information from a wide variety of people that usually includes healthcare professionals, school officials, angry parents, relative, etc. Compiling the information gathered, CASA Advocates submit periodic written reports to the judge and may be called to speak in court on behalf of the child’s best interests.
No legal education or training is required to be a CASA Volunteer Advocate, but
- You must be at least 21 years of age.
- You cannot have any criminal history.
- You must be willing and available to complete approximately 30 hours of training.
Why Volunteer?
Throughout training, CASA candidates learn many valuable skills such as effective advocacy techniques, dynamics of adolescent behavior, signs of sexual and emotional abuse, cultural sensitivity
CASA Volunteers bring a much needed independent perspective to the juvenile court and child welfare systems. By coordinating with individuals and other systems involved in the case, beneficial relationships develop and awareness of the plight of abused and neglected children grow.
DO YOU HAVE THE INTEREST AND COMMITMENT TO BE AN ADVOCATE?
or
WOULD YOU PREFER TO SUPPORT CASA WITH YOUR SKILLS AND TIME?
CONTACT YOUR NEAREST OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND AN INTERVIEW
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CASA of Putnam County |
CASA of Cumberland County |
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CASA of Smith County |
CASA of Overton County |
Click to print the CASA Volunteer Form
Report Child Abuse
State Wide
Mandatory Reporting
Phone Number
1- 877-237-0004
If you know or have reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been sexually abused, you must by law, report it immediately.
Reasonable cause to suspect – a light standard to meet and is clearly met if child makes any kind of disclosure.
If the child has any wound, injury, disability, or other mental or physical condition, which on the basis of available information reasonably appears to have been caused by brutality, abuse, or neglect, you must by law, report it immediately.
Reasonably appears – Any injuries that raises suspicion – If the explanation is not consistent with the type of injury.
Failure to report Child abuse is a class A misdemeanor, which has a potential sentence up to one year in jail. Good, well meaning people have been charged under this statute in cases where evidence was comprised or additional abuse occurred as a result of their failure to immediately report. Failure to immediately report is usually the result of:
- A lack of understanding of the requirements of the law.
- Uncertainty as to how to proceed (No clear policy)
- The weight of making such a report based on your own objective suspicion.
- The desire to verify, corroborates, or refutes your information before reporting.
The following statute is very clear in addressing who is responsible for reporting such abuse. The phrase “ any person” includes all professionals and everyday citizens alike. No one is excluded form the responsibility of reporting abuse nor are they immune to the consequences for failure to report.
Legal Responsibility of Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect
37-1-605. Reports of known or suspected child sexual child abuse Investigations-
(a) Any person including, but not limited to, any:
- Physician, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractor, nurse or hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care or treatment of persons;
- Health or mental health professional other than one listed in subdivision (1)
- Practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing;
- School teacher or other school official or personnel;
- Judge of any court of the state;
- Social worker, day care center worker, or other professional child care, foster care, residential or institutional worker;
- Law enforcement officer; or
- Neighbor, relative, friend or any other person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been sexually abused; shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department in the manner prescribed in subsection (b).(b) (1) Each report of known or suspected child sexual abuse pursuant to this section shall be made immediately to the local office of the department responsible for the investigation of reports made pursuant to this section or to the judge having juvenile jurisdiction or to the office of the sheriff or the chief law enforcement official of the municipality where the child resides.
Please refer to Title 37 Juveniles for more information
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