What does a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) do?

One of the questions I get asked most often is: “So, what exactly does a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) do?”

And, to be totally honest, I’m still figuring out the best way to answer it.

Not because the role is confusing—far from it—but because CASA work is different every single time. Each child we advocate for is unique. Their needs, their family, their history, their trauma—all of it varies. And as a CASA, that means I have to adapt, constantly shifting to become whatever the child needs most.

And that, right there, is what makes this work so humbling.

When you look at what CASA Advocates do, you begin to see something incredible: they become specialists in whatever the child needs—whether that means learning about special education, navigating the maze of therapy and mental health evaluations, or understanding housing resources, immigration issues, or the juvenile justice system.

Sometimes, it’s simply about showing up. Over and over. Consistently being that one adult who says, “I’m here. I’m listening. I’m not going anywhere.”

That? That is the heart of CASA.

I’ll be back to tell you more about CASA. ‘Til then, I remain,