The CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a volunteer from the local community who has been screened and trained by the CASA program and appointed by the court to advocate for children who are involved in juvenile deprivation proceedings. A CASA is appointed by the judge as an officer of the Court. The role of the CASA is to provide the Court with independent and objective information regarding the status of children involved in deprivation cases. The CASA also provides recommendations regarding the best interest of the child. 

Because the CASA is engaged in assessing and monitoring the child’s on-going needs and status while in placement, there will be occasions when you will be called upon to provide pertinent information regarding the child. The following may be expected in the foster parent’s involvement with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).

• The CASA staff should be invited to make a presentation to local GPS:MAPP training sessions for foster parents. 
• The presidents of local AFPAG groups should make presentations at CASA volunteer meetings. 
• If the CASA volunteer and Case Manager cannot make the initial visit to your home together, the Case Manager will notify you of the CASA appointment. 
• Subsequent visits to the foster home and with the child will be made directly by the CASA volunteer. 
• The CASA volunteer will make monthly contact with the foster parent and/or child face-to-face or by telephone. 
• The State CASA Program recommends that a CASA volunteer not transport the child at any time. However, local CASA programs are free to develop their own written policy regarding this issue with their local DFCS agency. 
• Any suspicions of abuse or neglect of any child in a foster home will be directed to the Services Intake Worker. 
• If a foster parent has a complaint or concern regarding the inappropriate behavior of a CASA volunteer, she/he should contact the DFCS supervisor who will, in turn, contact the CASA Program Director. 
• If a CASA volunteer has a similar complaint regarding a foster parent or the child’s placement in the home, they should contact the CASA Program Director who will, in turn, contact the DFCS Director.

DFCS FOSTER PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SERVE IN THE ROLE OF CASA’s IN GEORGIA.

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