Our Mission

The Nebraska CASA Association works with the National CASA Association to support the development, growth, and continuation of local CASA programs which recruit and train CASA volunteers who speak in court for the best interests of abused and neglected children.

	"You can't control where abused children come from, but you can have something to do with where they end up."

Why CASA?

• CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.
• Court Appointed Special Advocates are volunteers who are appointed by judges to speak in court for a child's safety and well-being.
• Children assigned to a CASA volunteer are victims of abuse or neglect.
• CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. About half of all CASA volunteers are employed full-time.
• CASA volunteers are well trained and supported by competent and professional staff.
• Judges, attorneys, child welfare workers and parents overwhelmingly report that CASA volunteers make a difference with the children they serve.
• Children with a CASA volunteer are half as likely to spend time in long-term foster care, defined as more than three years in care.
• Cases involving a CASA volunteer are more likely to be permanently closed. Fewer than 10% of children with a CASA volunteer re-enter the foster care system.
• CASA advocacy saves taxpayer dollers. If the median length of stay were shortened for children in foster care by just one month, it would realize a savings to Nebraska taxpayers of approximately $12.5 million per year.

CASA in Nebraska

• As of  December 31, 2009, 404 CASA volunteers were advocating for 674 of Nebraska's abused and neglected children.
• As of December 31, 2009, 1436 children are on a waiting list for CASA services.
• The average annual CASA program cost per child served is $1,020.
• The aveage annual CASA program cost per volunteer is $2,450 (for recruitment, training, supervision, and continuing education).
• 20 local CASA programs are currently serving 37 counties in Nebraska.
• CASA has been in Nebraska for over 20 years.