This section is a compilation of answers to the questions most commonly asked by our constituents. Just start by following one of the links below. If you can’t find the question you wanted to ask, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Madison and Clark Counties trains community volunteers to advocate on behalf of children who are in the Family Court System due to Abuse, Neglect or Dependency. CASA volunteers are appointed to a child or sibling set and stay involved until that child/ren achieves permanency. This takes 1-2 years on average.
CASA volunteers work closely with social workers, community partners and the court system to ensure that the child's needs are being met and their best interests are being looked after. CASA volunteers meet with their child/ren at least monthly and speak with all individuals involved in that child's life, including biological parents, foster parents, teachers, etc.
CASA volunteers are appointed by the Family Court Judge to a case that they feel needs an extra set of eyes. CASA volunteers make fact-based recommendations in what is in the best interest of the children.
CASA volunteers are often the only consistent person involved in these kids' lives as they move between foster homes and have different social workers.
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We’re always on the lookout for individuals like you who want to get involved. You can become a volunteer advocate, make a donation, and attend our events.
If you want to help the most vulnerable individuals in our community contact us today at forthechild@madisoncasa.org.
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To provide an abused and neglected child with a CASA volunteer for an entire year costs $1,000. This goes to training volunteers, conducting background checks and providing support for volunteers. Comparatively, a child in foster care costs the Commonwealth of Kentucky $1,000 a month.
We have a responsibility to our community and our donors and work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization. We make our IRS Form 990 available for review, as required by law.
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Confidentiality is the most important aspect of what we do. This goes for the kids we work with all the way to our volunteers. In Kentucky, Family Court is closed court which means to be present in court you have to be a member of the case. Therefore, all information is kept extremely confidential. All volunteers, staff and board members take an oath of confidentiality. All information received by the CASA office is kept with the upmost confidentiality through locked filing cabinets and access to these is very limited.
Our organization takes our privacy policy seriously and takes steps to protect and ensure the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations, public, private or nonprofit.
