Warning: This listing is no longer actively maintained. The information below is likely to be out of date.

CASA volunteers advocate in Family Court on behalf of abused and neglected children who have been placed in foster care. The volunteer is an official part of the case, appointed by the judge, and, as the child's "voice in court," speaks for the child's best interests.

Description:
CASA volunteers serve as fact-finders for the judge by conducting independent investigations into the child's background. The volunteer talks with the child, parents, relatives, teachers, therapists and others who have information about the case. The volunteer also reviews records and other documents about the child. The volunteer then prepares a report for the court explaining the child's status and making recommendations about the best permanency plan for the child. Volunteers also identify and advocate for services for the child. The overall goal is to shorten the child's time in foster care and to reduce the number of moves a child has to make while in placement.

History:
CASA was founded in Seattle, WA in 1977 by a judge who was concerned that too many cases involving abused and neglected children were being "lost in the system." Today, there are over 700 CASA volunteers in New Jersey advocating on behalf of abused and neglected children.

Contact person: Dale Callender, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (732) 246-4477

Address:

409 Joyce Kilmer Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08852 (See a map)

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

Directions:

CASA Middlesex is easily accessible from Routes 1, 130, 26, 27 and 18.