CASA of Terrebonne fosters a community of compassionate advocates dedicated to serving the FOSTER children of Terrebonne Parish.
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are everyday people from the community appointed by judges from the 32nd Judicial District to look after a child’s best interest while in foster care.
CASA volunteers are well-trained and work to address a child’s needs around safety, permanency, connections and well-being. They represent the child's best interest in court, help ensure the child is safe and advocate to keep families together when possible. CASA volunteers learn about the child by getting to know the child’s family and associated parties (caregivers, foster care providers, doctors, therapists, teachers, etc.)
CASA volunteers provide a consistent presence for the child and family. They stay by a child’s side throughout the case, advocating first for reunification when safe and possible. CASA volunteers also help maintain and facilitate nurturing relationships for the child while helping to find, engage and strengthen a support network for the child and family.
- A CASA does not replace a social worker- but instead works with them.
- A CASA is not a lawyer - however as a CASA you work with the child's attorney.
- A CASA has the unique ability to focus solely on the child.
*VIDEO PROVIDED BY TEXAS CASA
CASA of Terrebonne is the only program in Terrebonne Parish that focuses solely on the foster children and voicing their best interests through the court process. Statistics show that a child with a CASA volunteer receives more services critical to their well-being and leaves the system sooner than a child without an advocate.
Our volunteer advocates, board members, and staff are here because of a deep and sincere desire to see something positive come out of the broken system of child welfare. We continuously remind our advocates that we cannot change the system but we can bring hope and change to an individual child and family.
We have witnessed first-hand the impact an advocate brings to seeing their case end in adoption, guardianship, or reunification. All are occasions that bring closure and permanency to the child.
