Court Appointed Special Advocates are guided by the best interest principle. CASA volunteers advocate for the best interest of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Here’s what that means:
- LEARN – Learn all you can about the child and his or her family and life.
- ENGAGE – Engage with the child during regular visits
- RECOMMEND – Speak up for the child’s interests in court. Make recommendations regarding the child’s placement and needed services, and monitor the child’s situation until the case is released by the court.
- COLLABORATE – Collaborate with others to ensure that necessary services are provided and are in the child’s best interest.
- REPORT – Report what you have learned and observed to the court.
Last year, 128 CASA volunteers served 257 children on 18% of child abuse and neglect cases in Tulsa County. Children in Tulsa County are spending 22-24 months in foster care on average. Children who are appointed a Tulsa CASA volunteer spend 13.9 months in foster care on average, shortening the length of their child welfare case by nearly half the time. In 2022, there were over 1,300 children in Tulsa County waiting for a volunteer to advocate for what’s in their best interest.
