A man and a boy are having a conversation inside a building with lockers in the background. The man is wearing a light gray shirt, and the boy has a short haircut and is wearing a beige hoodie. The scene is part of a volunteer program for CASA of the Illinois Valley.

A CASA is an independent voice for the child’s best interests throughout the time the child is in care (usually about 2 years). CASA duties fall into the following four areas:

What is a CASA?

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens. No special legal background is required. Volunteers are screened closely for objectivity, competence, and commitment.

The goal for every child in a Dependency Proceeding is to find a permanent, safe home as quickly as possible; that is often found in a return to the parents, but sometimes it means adoption by family or others.

  • The CASA conducts an independent investigation of the child’s and family’s situation and circumstances

  • The CASA communicates with all parties and encourages cooperation and collaboration so that the child’s case moves as quickly as possible to a good conclusion.

  • The CASA speaks up for the child and advocates for services, decisions and plans that are in the child’s best interests. The CASA advocates in team meetings, with schools, families caregivers, on the record in court and through reports to the court.

  • The CASA is directed to monitor the court orders for compliance and to bring to the court’s attention and changes that should be made to the orders. This means the CASA is in regular contact with all parties (the child, parents, foster parents or relatives, social worker, attorneys, and so on) so that fact-based recommendations can be made to the court on the child’s behalf.

Volunteer Duties & Official Description

Become an Advocate Volunteer

Supporting Document Downloads for Volunteer Application

CASA Bill of Rights

Personal Reference Form

Upcoming Training & Informational Sessions

Flyer for a child advocacy training course starting June 16, with the theme "Change a Child's Story." The flyer features a young boy sitting in an indoor environment, with colorful geometric overlays on the right side.
A promotional graphic for a child advocacy training course on July 14. The image shows a young boy sitting on a yellow chair in a modern, well-lit indoor space, with colorful geometric shapes overlaying part of the photo.
Promotional flyer for an advocate training course, starting October 20. The flyer features a young boy sitting in an indoor space with colorful chairs, and includes event details such as a six-week hybrid course with one class per week.

Get in Touch

Learn More about becoming a volunteer and help be a voice children in La Salle and Bureau Counties who are experiencing abuse and neglect.

A group of people posing outdoors on steps, with some standing and one woman sitting in front, in front of a gray wall. In the foreground, there is a flower bed with blue and white pinwheel decorations.