Our Mission
The mission of CASA is to ensure a safe, permanent and nurturing home for every abused and/or neglected child in the Eastern Sierra by providing a highly-trained volunteer to advocate for them within the dependency court system.
Our goal is to make a positive and long-lasting difference in each child's life.
Why CASA?
Each day in California, approximately 70 children join the state’s population of nearly 80,000 children in foster care. These children were abused or neglected and then removed from their families and the place they called home. Though they have social workers and lawyers, these professionals can and do change during the course of a child’s case.
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A CASA volunteer is a dependable, caring adult who stays with a child throughout the duration of their case, working with the professionals to ensure their child’s voice is heard. They are appointed by a judge to be ‘the eyes and ears’ of the court. CASA volunteers offer a neutral, third-party opinion to the court, one that is unbiased and child-focused.
What does
a CASA do?
A CASA Volunteer is a consistent support for a child in their time of crisis. Advocates care deeply and work for the best interest of children who enter the court system as a result of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Advocates form a relationship with their assigned child and interview parents, teachers, social workers, and anyone who might have insight into the needs, challenges, and strengths of the child. Volunteers work as part of a team (with professionals) to ensure the child’s best interests are being met.
how to become
an advocate
Request Information
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Call us at 760-873-8442
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Email us at CASA@wild-iris.org
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Visit us at 150 N Main St.
Schedule an Information Session
Potential advocates can easily book an information session at a time that suits them through our scheduling calendar.
If you remain interested in becoming an advocate after the information session, you can complete and submit an application. Once we receive your application, CASA staff will contact you to invite you to a face-to-face meet and greet.
Complete Advocate Training
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Pass background check
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Complete 32 hours of training.
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Participate in a court observation.
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Get sworn in by the Courts.
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Get assigned to a child in our community.