
CASA OF THE 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
What is CASA?
The Fifth Circuit Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA Program seeks to promote and protect the best interests of children who have been victims of abuse and neglect by providing the skilled, dedicated, and compassionate advocacy efforts of trained community volunteers.
We believe that every child has the right to a safe, nurturing, and permanent home, and deserves the support and involvement of their community to make that possible.
GET TO KNOW US:
What does an advocate do?
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children's best interests. They work with legal and child welfare professionals, educators, and service providers to ensure that judges have all the information they need to make the most well-informed decisions for each child.
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Our best-interest advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin, if that can be safely achieved. Most of the children are in foster care, but some are with their family of origin. And, most children who leave foster care do so to return to their family.
What does it take to become an advocate?
CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and need no prior experience or knowledge of the child welfare system. The most important prerequisite is a desire to make a difference in the life of a child. CASA advocates receive 30 hours of pre-service training, plus 12 additional in-service hours a year. Advocates have ongoing one-on-one supervision to assist with the technical aspects and to support them in every way.
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Volunteers provide a consistent presence in a child's life during their time in foster care. They work to:
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Identify and address risks to the child's safety and well-being
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Identifying supportive people in the child's life to promote safety and well-being
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Ensure appropriate physical and mental health assessments are completed and that the child's needs are understood through a trauma-informed approach
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Verify educational assessments are completed and educational supports are in place

SOUTH DAKOTA JUDICIAL CIRCUITS & COUNTIES
CASA Coverage
