The CASA Project offers volunteers the opportunity to make a substantial difference in the life of an abused child. By fully investigating the life circumstances of the child and submitting reports to the juvenile court judge, the CASA volunteer assists the judge to determine the child's best interest, defined by National CASA as "a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible."

Description:
The CASA Project offers thorough training in all aspects of case work, including History of Child Protection; the Department of Social Services and the Courts; effects of abuse and neglect on children; and how to conduct a CASA investigation and write a CASA report. Volunteers are assigned to a specific child or sibling group. Volunteers visit the child monthly, and gather information for the judge. Assisted by their Case Supervisors, they prepare written reports to the judge every few months. Volunteers report spending 2 -3 hours per week for 9 - 15 months on their cases. Most work is done at their convenience; some court appearances (announced in advance, and usually not more than 2 -3 per year) take place during normal business hours. Judge Carol Erskine, First Justice of the Worcester Juvenile Court, states, “CASA Volunteers perform a unique and essential role advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children. The CASA Project Volunteers assist all juvenile court judges in making decisions to improve the quality of life for our most vulnerable population. Their role as independent, objective advocates is an essential contribution to the management and disposition of these complicated cases."

History:
The CASA Project is part of a national network started 30 years ago by a juvenile court judge in Seattle, who found that he was making important decisions about children's lives without enough good information. The CASA Project is one of the five original CASA programs in the nation, and is the largest and oldest in Massachusetts. We currently have about 140 active volunteers and were able to provide CASAs for just over 50% of children who needed them in 2006.

The CASA Project offers services to children of Worcester County. In 2006, 90 children in North Worcester County were served by CASA volunteers.

Contact people:

Sue Ellen Scrogin, Executive Director, Interim, (phone) Elizabeth Johnson Tsang, Director Of Training, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (508) 792-1542

Address:

100 Grove Street Worcester, MA 01605 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.thecasaproject.org

Directions:

From I-190S take Exit 1, Gold Star Boulevard. Proceed 1 mile. At the third traffic light, bear left onto Grove Street and proceed about 1/2 mile. We are in the large red brick building onthe left. There is a large "100" over the entrace; we are on the fourth floor.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Union Station, Worcester,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15 minutes   Nearest Bus Stop: Union Station, worcester, 15 minutes minute walk

North Central Ma Network of Nonprofit Organizational Profile

Organization Type:
	Youth Development
What is your organization trying to change; whose lives; and the impact that you seek?
	CASA volunteers work exclusively with children involved in Care and Protection cases.
What are major challenges/obstacles your organization faces in trying to meet your mission?
	Our goal is to have a CASA volunteer for each child in the courts.
Please describe some of the major accomplishments and successes of your organization.
	In a recent 12-month period, we served more than 400 children in the courts. Our volunteers researched and wrote reports for juvenile court judges, advocated for the children's best interests, and monitored continuing cases.
Have partnerships with nonprofit/forprofit/government helped you to advance your mission?
	We are a United Way agency. We participate in programs of Centro Las Americas and other community organizations.
Key Programs/Title and Description:
	Each Court Appointed Special Advocate works with a specific Care and Protection case in the courts.
Budget:
	We receive funding from the Massachusetts Courts, from State and Local community foundations, and individual donors.
If resources were of no concern, what need would you most like to address?
	We would like to have a CASA volunteer for each child involved in a Care and Protection case.

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